The wait goes on for Jose Sa to get back into contention with the Portugal national team.
Fernando Santos has today announced his squad for the next international break.
And there’s no place for Sa, 28, with ex-Molineux stopper Rui Patricio, Anthony Lopes of Lyon and Porto’s Diogo Costa all getting the nod instead.
Sa has reason to feel a little disappointed today.
The 28-year-old, arguably, has been one of Wolves’ better performers so far this season.
After coming in to replace Patricio between the sticks at Molineux, Sa has played every Premier League game so far under Bruno Lage.
He’d been fairly steady, despite Wolves losing four of their first five matches.
But last weekend, Sa put in his finest display to date against Southampton, leaving fans very impressed.
He made a number of great saves against Southampton and also provided an assist for Raul Jimenez to score the game’s only goal.
He also showed himself to be a good sweeper-keeper.
Wolves have conceded just five goals so far in the league, and Sa is currently fourth for saves made (20) according to official Premier League statistics.
Sa can use Portugal snub as motivation
It is a shame that Sa – who did get called up for a squad back in 2017, but is still yet to debut – did not get called up this time given how good he’s been in recent weeks.
According to FBref data (league), Sa has a higher save percentage (87%) than Patricio (70%), Lopes (75%) and Costa (69%).
He’s conceded five, which is fewer than Lopes (12) and Patricio (8), but one more than Costa (4).
So on the face of it, he is certainly playing at least as well as the three that Santos called up.
Hopefully, Sa will use the snub as fuel to improve.