Sa lined up for the first time in old gold since having to be withdrawn at half-time during the last match of last season against Liverpool, but the Wolves goalkeeper is counting his lucky stars that his injury came in the final game of the campaign, rather than the first, meaning he was able to carry out his rehabilitation during the off-season.
With Wolves’ opening Premier League match of the new campaign coming up away at Leeds United on Saturday, Sa is relishing the competition he has with young stopper Matija Sarkic and is adamant that he’s working hard to maintain his spot as number one as he looks to improve on what was an impressive debut season in England.
On a difficult test against Sporting
“It was a good game against a very good team, but I think we played very well.
“We keep working and fighting to do our best and the results will come.”
On coming back from injury
“It was lucky for me that it was in the last game of the season and not the first game of the season - that’s what I was thinking.
“It’s our work and it can happen. For me, I think I had luck because it was the last game. But I’m very good.
“They tried to protect me in the last games to be ready for this game and to be ready for the first game of the season, and it’s what happened. I played and I felt good. We keep working and we’ll see.”
On improving on an impressive debut season
“We will continue to do our work and of course I will try to give my best and help the team.
“If I do better to help them, perfect, but I will work and after we will see. Game by game, that’s how I think and what I am working towards.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 1, 2022
On the competition with Sarkic
“I like the competition. Everybody likes competition and we have good goalkeepers too.
“It’s very good [working with Sarkic]. He’s a young guy and it works very well. We continue working and he helps me, I help him. That’s what we think about.
“To lose John Ruddy was hard for us because he’s a good guy and a good teammate and he helped us a lot and help me a lot to work and keep pushing me.
“Of course, I was sad when I heard the news, but this is football and it can happen.”
On maintaining the number one spot
“It’s complicated because I’ve already been in second position, but it’s our life and our position and we have to work to win the place.
“Nobody has the place guaranteed, we have to work to show our good moments and help the team.”
