Portugal are taking on Liechtenstein this evening in the first of their Euro 2024 qualifiers – and there is a chance Wolves star Jose Sa could finally make his debut for the national team.
Roberto Martinez takes charge of his first game since replacing Fernando Santos after the World Cup.
He’s named a very strong squad, and Portugal are the clear favourites to win tonight.
Martinez’s first starting XI will make for interesting reading.
There are three Wolves players in his squad – Sa, Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes.
Neves saw quite a bit of involvement for Portugal at the World Cup. Nunes only made a couple of cameo appearances. And Sa didn’t play a single minute.
Sa has been used to sitting on the bench for the national team.
He has been in and around the national team since 2017, which is when he was first called up by former manager Santos.
But £7 million signing Sa still hasn’t actually made his debut for Portugal – but there’s chance he could finally do that tonight.
Costa, 23, has actually been released from international duty due to his injury, as reported by O Jogo. Youngster Celton Biai has been called up as his replacement.
So Martinez will likely decide between Sa, and the man he replaced at Wolves Rui Patricio, for tonight’s game.
Jose Sa could finally make his debut for Portugal tonight under new manager Roberto Martinez
Patricio is vastly experienced and has over 100 caps for his country.
The temptation will be there for Martinez to start with him tonight.
But Sa has been showing really good form for Wolves over the past couple of months or so.
Potentially, Martinez will have been keeping a close eye on him as a keen viewer of the Premier League.
There could well be a chance for Sa to make his debut tonight. New managers coming in often mean new ideas. And it would be no less than Sa deserves.