Although he’s had his moments this season in between the posts for Wolverhampton Wanderers, there’s no disputing what a superb goalkeeper Jose Sa is.
Establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s elite shot-stoppers over the last three campaigns, the upsides attached to the Portuguese international’s work unquestionably outweighs the downsides.
Having committed some untimely high-profile errors that have cost his team, it’s been fantastic to see his manager show his support of the experienced netminder. “I’m far more keen to speak about the positives that he brings,” Gary O’Neil explained. “We could go through a list of every player and speak about what they want to improve that can almost come across like we’re criticising and being negative.
“I think Jose is a fantastic goalkeeper for the level. There are areas that with all the players we’re working on daily to try to improve, and Jose knows what they are, but I think the main message around Jose is that we’re delighted to have a top goalkeeper at the club.
“If you’re suffering a tough spell and there are balls coming in the box, he’s going to come and claim them, he’s going to come and punch them. When the team start to suffer tough spells, good goalkeepers seem to grow and you can see them saying, ‘No worries, tough spell; I’ll get us through this bit’. I always get that sense from Jose that he can get us through those bits where it may not be going our way.”
Joining back in 2021 from Olympiacos on a five-year deal for a fee of £6.8 million to replace Rui Patricio, it’s been extremely impressive how he’s held his own in the hugely demanding English top flight.
Coming up trumps on a plethora of occasions to bag vital points for his team, he’s been an integral figure throughout his time in England.
A towering presence who stands at 1.92 cm and boasts a huge wingspan, Sa is certainly a tough proposition to beat from a wide array of scenarios.
Proving his value when dealing with crosses and set pieces, the way he anticipates the ball’s speed and trajectory before timing when to punch clear, claim or hold his position has been a key string to his bow.
A dominant and imposing presence in the box and commanding his area authoritatively, opponents have regularly been blunted with his aptitude in this regard.
Attentive and proactive, the way he races off his line is another crucial aspect of his game. Aggressive and confident in his judgement from his typically advanced starting post, Sa doesn’t hesitate to surge out if he believes he can intervene.
While this comes with inherent risk, more often than not, his decision making sees him triumph. “Even before I came to Wolves I liked to come out of my goal,” Sa explained to Sky Sports. “I like to win the ball when it is played in behind the defence. But here we work on it a lot because the coach wants the defenders to be high so I have to be there to help them.”
A wizard at preventing goals with his amazing repertoire of saves using his colossal, languid frame, sharp reflexes and reactions and crisp reading of the play, this, in combination with how he makes himself as wide as possible, sees him excel. The fact he ranked first in the Premier League for prevented goals (8.9) accentuates what a master of his craft he is.
Able to spring up, down, across and diagonally, he powerfully propels himself in a wide manner of directions to deny adversaries with both his arms and legs. As can be seen in the examples below, his capacity to keep out foes when 1v1, from range, headed situations and everything in between is outstanding.
It’s important to note that in spite of his mistakes, his work with the ball at his feet is usually solid, for his passing often provides a firm foundation for Wolves to build out from the back.
Boasting a nice range of passing to pinpoint teammates with short, medium and long distance deliveries, this ensures he does a handy job of progressing his team up the pitch.
Accurate and incisive, his distribution skills have allowed his colleagues to coordinate their movement knowing he has the quality to feed them to feet or when they embark on runs in behind.
“When you’ve got that quality, the attackers will make the runs for you and Sa can pick them out from 60 yards. It’s another weapon for the team, he has the tools to set an attack off,” former Wolves No 1 Carl Ikeme told The Athletic.
Whether Sa remains at Molineux remains to be seen, though, for he’s been linked with a big money move to Saudi Arabia, which would bring in a large fee given he extended his contract near the end of 2023.
With names such as Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Burnley’s Arijanet Muric mentioned as potential replacements, it’ll be a case of wait and see in regards to Sa’s future.
Proving a fine servant of the club and a player that’s emphatically underlined his importance over the last three seasons, whatever happens, the 31-year-old deserves all the praise he receives for his brilliant work between the posts.
Jose Sa: Wolves’ shot-shopping machine
Although he’s had his moments this season in between the posts for Wolverhampton Wanderers, there’s no disputing what a superb goalkeeper Jose Sa is.
Establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s elite shot-stoppers over the last three campaigns, the upsides attached to the Portuguese international’s work unquestionably outweighs the downsides.
Having committed some untimely high-profile errors that have cost his team, it’s been fantastic to see his manager show his support of the experienced netminder. “I’m far more keen to speak about the positives that he brings,” Gary O’Neil explained. “We could go through a list of every player and speak about what they want to improve that can almost come across like we’re criticising and being negative.
“I think Jose is a fantastic goalkeeper for the level. There are areas that with all the players we’re working on daily to try to improve, and Jose knows what they are, but I think the main message around Jose is that we’re delighted to have a top goalkeeper at the club.
“If you’re suffering a tough spell and there are balls coming in the box, he’s going to come and claim them, he’s going to come and punch them. When the team start to suffer tough spells, good goalkeepers seem to grow and you can see them saying, ‘No worries, tough spell; I’ll get us through this bit’. I always get that sense from Jose that he can get us through those bits where it may not be going our way.”
Joining back in 2021 from Olympiacos on a five-year deal for a fee of £6.8 million to replace Rui Patricio, it’s been extremely impressive how he’s held his own in the hugely demanding English top flight.
Coming up trumps on a plethora of occasions to bag vital points for his team, he’s been an integral figure throughout his time in England.
A towering presence who stands at 1.92 cm and boasts a huge wingspan, Sa is certainly a tough proposition to beat from a wide array of scenarios.
Proving his value when dealing with crosses and set pieces, the way he anticipates the ball’s speed and trajectory before timing when to punch clear, claim or hold his position has been a key string to his bow.
A dominant and imposing presence in the box and commanding his area authoritatively, opponents have regularly been blunted with his aptitude in this regard.
Attentive and proactive, the way he races off his line is another crucial aspect of his game. Aggressive and confident in his judgement from his typically advanced starting post, Sa doesn’t hesitate to surge out if he believes he can intervene.
While this comes with inherent risk, more often than not, his decision making sees him triumph. “Even before I came to Wolves I liked to come out of my goal,” Sa explained to Sky Sports. “I like to win the ball when it is played in behind the defence. But here we work on it a lot because the coach wants the defenders to be high so I have to be there to help them.”
A wizard at preventing goals with his amazing repertoire of saves using his colossal, languid frame, sharp reflexes and reactions and crisp reading of the play, this, in combination with how he makes himself as wide as possible, sees him excel. The fact he ranked first in the Premier League for prevented goals (8.9) accentuates what a master of his craft he is.
Able to spring up, down, across and diagonally, he powerfully propels himself in a wide manner of directions to deny adversaries with both his arms and legs. As can be seen in the examples below, his capacity to keep out foes when 1v1, from range, headed situations and everything in between is outstanding.
It’s important to note that in spite of his mistakes, his work with the ball at his feet is usually solid, for his passing often provides a firm foundation for Wolves to build out from the back.
Boasting a nice range of passing to pinpoint teammates with short, medium and long distance deliveries, this ensures he does a handy job of progressing his team up the pitch.
Accurate and incisive, his distribution skills have allowed his colleagues to coordinate their movement knowing he has the quality to feed them to feet or when they embark on runs in behind.
“When you’ve got that quality, the attackers will make the runs for you and Sa can pick them out from 60 yards. It’s another weapon for the team, he has the tools to set an attack off,” former Wolves No 1 Carl Ikeme told The Athletic.
Whether Sa remains at Molineux remains to be seen, though, for he’s been linked with a big money move to Saudi Arabia, which would bring in a large fee given he extended his contract near the end of 2023.
With names such as Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Burnley’s Arijanet Muric mentioned as potential replacements, it’ll be a case of wait and see in regards to Sa’s future.
Proving a fine servant of the club and a player that’s emphatically underlined his importance over the last three seasons, whatever happens, the 31-year-old deserves all the praise he receives for his brilliant work between the posts.
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