Following Romain Saiss reportedly earning another year at Molineux through games played this season, only one Wolverhampton Wanderers player currently stands to leave the club at the end of the season.
Backup goalkeeper John Ruddy is now the one player the Wolves hierarchy must take a decision on this summer.
The 34-year-old joined Wolves in the summer of 2017 after running down his contract at Norwich City.
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Ruddy was superb for Wolves in his first season after joining, playing in all but one Championship game and being key to the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
His contributions were recognised in the form of a PFA Championship Team of the Year inclusion.
Following the arrival of Rui Patricio from Sporting CP in 2018 though, minutes have been few and far between for the one-time England international.
In total to date, he’s racked up 65 appearances for the club, keeping 34 clean sheets and conceding 52 goals.
With the season almost finished, it will soon be time for Wolves to decide whether Ruddy’s contract is renewed.
It could go either way – Ruddy is not getting any younger, but is known to be a big influence in the dressing room.
On social media, people have been fairly split:
Yes….he is a leader.
— Darryl Magher 🔱 (@DarrylMagher) March 21, 2021
Simple, No. We need a better number 2 who doesnt make mistakes every FA Cup game he plays. Let him go
— BAGNALL (@Bags24_) March 21, 2021
Absolutely yes. Just having his voice in the changing room / training is massive
— BART (@JoeBartl21) March 21, 2021
No, because Ruddy deserves to play some football to end out his career. Then come back under some other role when he retires as he’s an awesome advocate for the club.
— DigitalDevil ◺ ◿ (@MSMDizzy) March 21, 2021
100% yes if he’s happy to be a number 2 and play the odd cup game, just having him in the changing room as a voice will help the young lads out. With no fans in the ground your can clearly hear him encouraging the team on from the stand/bench.
— Sam Green (@Greener099Sam) March 21, 2021
No. He deserves to play somewhere last few years of his career and we have good young keepers who deserve more opportunities
— Rob Baldock (@baldock_rob) March 21, 2021
Great guy but we need a long term successor to Rui as our No2
— Ian Tansell (@tanseyla) March 21, 2021
Yes I think why not. Good goalkeeper and very loyal to our club. Once a wolf always a wolf
— Keith Richardson (@krichardson553) March 21, 2021
Yes. Does a superb job as a No2 so well worth another 12 months
— Goodmeister (@goodmeister) March 21, 2021
If he is happy to continue as the second choice, I’m sure he could easily go somewhere on decent wages and play every week. I would keep him if he’s happy, he’s a good goalkeeper, great experience to help younger players and a good presence around the club.
— Ayden Callaghan (@AydenCallaghan) March 21, 2021