Wolves have hit the jackpot with Jose Sa
by Ross Kilvington share
3 minute read 25/9/2022 | 08:15am
When Wolverhampton Wanderers sold Rui Patricio to AS Roma last summer, the Molineux faithful may have been worried about who would be a suitable long-term replacement for the Portuguese goalkeeper.
The 34-year-old became one of the club's big statement signings when they were promoted to the Premier League in 2018 and went on to make 127 appearances, keeping 37 clean sheets in the process.
Bruno Lage has hit the jackpot on his replacement, however, with Jose Sa impressing so far during his spell at the club.
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Wolves hit the jackpot with Sa
A £6.25m deal was agreed between Wolves and Olympiacos for the transfer of the Portuguese goalkeeper following Patricio's departure last summer and his arrival has made the Old Gold all but forget about their former 'keeper.
The £29k-per-week shot-stopper made 37 appearances in his debut campaign, keeping 11 clean sheets as Wolves finished in the top half of the table.
Three further clean sheets have followed this season, although the club's goalscoring woes have continued, netting only three times as they sit near the relegation zone.
Lage has gotten the best out of Sa, allowing him to make a seamless transition to the English game and this has been rewarded with a string of solid performances. His value has also skyrocketed too, with CIES Football Observatory valuing the goalkeeper at €20m (£17.8m) – an increase of 165% in just over a year.
It was an excellent move by Lage to bring him to the club and if he continues to perform like this, then there is no reason to suggest why his value cant increase over the next couple of seasons.
Former Old Gold keeper Matt Murray lavished praise on Sa following a victory over Everton last season, saying:
"I've been really impressed with Sa. I liked what he had done for Olympiacos, and thought he did really well for them, and it was interesting to see how he came in and stepped into Rui Patricio's shoes.
Has Jose Sa been one of Lage's best Wolves signings?
"He's very good with his feet and is very composed, and Wolves want to have more possession and play with a higher line, and he's that dominant goalkeeper. I've been really impressed and by all accounts from the lads, he's a proper top guy, a real character and good in the dressing room."
As Wolves' attacking options continue to flatter to deceive, it's a good job Sa is constantly saving them from even more misery.