Dave Edwards believes Julen Lopetegui will target a new goalkeeper this summer for Wolves, following a tough season for Jose Sa.
Wanderers limped to the end of the season on Sunday, losing 5-0 to Arsenal.
It was a sorry performance that Lopetegui was not happy with.
Wolves made it far too easy for Arsenal, who were admittedly very good, and fans have been left with a sour taste heading into the summer.
Against the Gunners, Sa was poor.
The Portuguese stopper might have done better on the opening goal from Granit Xhaka, as he did get a hand to it. And then, his attempt to keep out Jakub Kiwior’s effort on the fifth goal was pitiful.
Sa was back in the starting XI having been on the bench for the previous two games against Everton and Manchester United.
But he really did not send a message to Lopetegui with his display at the Emirates.
And now, former Wolves midfielder Edwards feels the head coach could target a new number one this summer.
He said (Express & Star): “At the back, Jose Sa’s season has been in stark contrast to the season before. He was a revelation in his first year and took his game to another level. He was so good.
“This year he seems to have lost all his confidence. He looks nervous on the ball and a lot of goals have been unforced errors from his point of view. He’ll be really disappointed with that but I do feel it’s an area the manager will look to strengthen in the summer.”
Last week, it was reported that Sa does have interest from other clubs.
Wolves need to search for potential Jose Sa replacements this summer
Sa’s drop-off from his first season has been very alarming.
Few really expected him to follow up his first campaign with the same kind of level in 2022/23.
But in his second term, he has been way, way short of expectation.
Edwards is right. Sa appears to have lost all his confidence and does look a bag of nerves when he’s on the ball.
It would be no surprise if Lopetegui did urge the club to go after a new number one this summer. You would think he’d want someone who is better with their feet.
Sa is a good shot stopper and shows decent command of his area. But that ball-playing part of his game is lacking. He is also prone to errors, which can put Wolves under unnecessary pressure.