Wolves star set to leave after five years - 'it is a shame' | OneFootball

Jose Sa is expected to leave Wolves after five years at the club following their relegation to the Championship.

Wolves are ready to overhaul their squad following relegation from the Premier League, as Rob Edwards looks to make his own mark on the group.

It was a dismal campaign for Wanderers, who were effectively relegated months before the season finished after a historically bad start to the season.

The one positive for the club is that it allowed them to plan for relegation, and the January business that took place was done with one eye on the Championship.

Jose Sa set to leave Wolves after five years at Molineux

However, there’s still a lot of work to do in terms of transfers, and the drop in revenue that comes with falling out of the top flight means further departures are necessary.

One player who is expected to leave is Jose Sa, with reports unsurprisingly stating that he sees his future elsewhere.

The Portugal international was signed from Olympiacos as Rui Patricio’s replacement, and he enjoyed a fantastic first season at the club.

Even though there have been highs and lows since, Sa is a relatively popular figure at the club, and he was visibly moved after the final day draw with Burnley.

At 33, Sa should still have a lot to offer, so there will be some who wonder whether keeping him around makes sense, particularly as Wolves are looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

Yet, when quizzed about the prospect of losing Sa, Wolves fan pundit Thomas believes that a summer exit is best for all parties, even if he did appreciate what the keeper had done during his time at the club.

“Overall, it’s a shame to see him go, but I wouldn’t say it’s a massive blow.

“It’s a shame to see him go because he has had five years at Wolves, and, especially in his first season, when he won Player of the Year, that is his most memorable campaign.

“He has flaws, like all goalkeepers do, but across the five years he has been decent for us, and the fact he is currently at the World Cup tells its own story, as he is a capable keeper. But, it’s not a huge blow because it kind of felt inevitable.

“Sa was linked with Nottingham Forest in January, and I think as fans, we accept that change is needed. To prevent a hangover from going down, we need to bring in a lot of fresh faces, and there are a lot of good keepers who would be motivated to come in and help us get to the Premier League. If Sa was to stick around, he has already been and done it.

“We’ve got Sam Johnstone as a potential number one waiting in the wings, and he knows the Championship very well. Sa is 34 next year, and I know a keeper is different to an outfield player, but it will definitely benefit us to bring in a younger, hungrier keeper.

“He was capable of having a rush of blood, a lot more than most keepers, and he scares the life out of everyone with the ball at his feet!

“But, it is a shame. He looked genuinely emotional at the end of the Burnley game, but I wouldn’t say it’s a huge blow. We can find a younger, capable keeper, who will be better with the ball at their feet.

“It’s important to bring in a recognised number one, or to push Johnstone forward, just to freshen things up a little bit.”

Wolves must make major changes to the squad this summer

Most would agree with this assessment on Sa, as whilst he could certainly do a job in the Championship, it feels like a natural time for his period at Molineux to end.

The club has been on a downward trajectory for some time now, and it’s natural that the players suffer because of that as well, so a fresh start will benefit everyone.

Edwards needs to bring in players that have a clean slate with the supporters, as it’s vital everyone is pulling in the same direction when the new season starts if Wolves are to be challenging for promotion.

Andre’s new contract and the agreement with Trippier are positive starts, but Wolves still have a lot to do, and the reality is that many of this group need to be moved on.

Sa will leave with the respect of the fans, and he has better memories of the club than many of his teammates, but it’s still the right decision for all concerned.

Many would hope Johnstone follows Sa out of the club, so it will be interesting to see whether he is the number one next season, or if a new signing arrives to take the spot in the XI.