Julen Lopetegui has issued a little warning to Jose Sa that it isn’t about what he has done in the past for Wolves.
The manager spoke about the Portuguese stopper, after he made a costly error against Leicester City.
Wolves were 1-0 up thanks to a great strike by Matheus Cunha.
The team looked in real control and Leicester were really poor on the ball, especially trying to play out from the back.
But they managed to get a ball through to Jamie Vardy, and Sa made the decision to engage the former England striker.
He ended up slipping and bringing the 36-year-old down.
A penalty was awarded, Sa was booked, and Kelechi Iheanacho made no mistake from 12 yards.
Leicester should not have been allowed back into the game. And in the second-half, Timothy Castagne grabbed a winner for the hosts.
Ultimately, Sa’s decision ended up costing Wolves points.
Lopetegui was supportive of the £7 million star. But he also stated that his past achievements don’t really count for anything right now.
He said (Express & Star): “Jose is trying to help us. He has played here for the last two years and I think he’s a good goalkeeper.
“But, the demand for all, and him too, is very high.
“All of them have to be ready to be very self demanding, to help the team and give their best for the team.
“It’s not about what you have done in the past, it’s about what you have to do in the present, for him and for all.
“We encourage him to have a good finish to the season. Because it’s a good thing for him and it’s a good thing for us.”
Julen Lopetegui is subtly saying to Jose Sa that he won’t hesitate to drop him
This is a perfect response to Sa’s error from Lopetegui.
Sa was absolutely amazing for Wolves last season. But that was then and this is now.
His form this season has been nowhere near last, but prior to the January transfer window he didn’t have a big enough challenge from Matija Sarkic.
Now, Dan Bentley is on the scene.
He is yet to make his Wolves debut, but he will have his eye on a first appearance for his new club.
Lopetegui is essentially saying to Sa that he thinks he’s a good goalkeeper, but he doesn’t place big emphasis on ‘credit in the bank’.
It’s about the here and now.
Sa must improve, or else he could find himself dropped like other senior players Raul Jimenez and Daniel Podence have both experienced this season.