“Wolves Find Themselves in a Goalkeeper Conundrum: Sam Johnstone’s Late Summer Arrival Puts Jose Sa’s Future at Risk”
Wolves have found themselves in an intriguing situation between the sticks following the late signing of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone towards the end of the summer transfer window. The move has raised serious questions about the future of incumbent goalkeeper Jose Sa, who had previously been a key figure for the club. With both Johnstone and Sa vying for the number one spot, there are growing concerns over how this rivalry could play out, especially as Sa has been a regular starter since his arrival at Molineux. The addition of Johnstone, who brings Premier League experience after his time at West Brom, has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Sa’s position, leaving fans and pundits wondering whether the Portuguese goalkeeper’s days at Wolves could be numbered.
“Wolves’ Goalkeeper Dilemma: Sam Johnstone’s Injury, Jose Sa’s Return, and the Missed Opportunity to Sign Caoimhin Kelleher”
Wolves have found themselves in a complicated goalkeeper situation after a series of twists and turns in the transfer window. The agents of Jose Sa were reportedly lining up a potential move to Saudi Arabia, but for one reason or another, that deal never materialised. In the meantime, Wolves signed Sam Johnstone to bolster their options in goal. However, Johnstone struggled to live up to expectations, and his performance was further interrupted by an injury during the international break.
With Johnstone sidelined, Sa has once again reclaimed the number one spot at Molineux, but the situation remains fraught with uncertainty. Journalist Liam Keen described the competition between the two goalkeepers as a “difficult situation,” and it’s hard to deny the awkwardness of having two players of number one standard vying for the same role.
The tension might have been avoided had Wolves pursued a move for Caoimhin Kelleher, the Liverpool goalkeeper who made headlines with his performance last night. Kelleher, who has shown promise at both club and international levels, could have been the perfect fit for Wolves, offering quality and competition without the confusion caused by a battle between two top-tier goalkeepers. Now, with Sa back in the starting role, it’s clear that the club’s decision not to sign Kelleher might have left them in a tricky spot.
“Former Wolves Target Caoimhin Kelleher Steals the Spotlight with Stunning Kylian Mbappé Penalty Save”
Caoimhin Kelleher, a player once linked with a move to Wolves, made headlines for all the right reasons last night, saving a penalty from none other than Kylian Mbappé. The Liverpool goalkeeper showcased his incredible shot-stopping ability on the international stage, as he denied the French superstar from the spot, adding another remarkable performance to his growing reputation. Had Wolves moved to sign Kelleher, they might have secured a dependable and talented goalkeeper, avoiding the current uncertainty surrounding their goalkeeper situation.
“Wolves’ Missed Opportunity: Caoimhin Kelleher, Once a Target to Replace Jose Sa, Shines with Stunning Mbappé Penalty Save”
Back in June, Wolves were reportedly eyeing Caoimhin Kelleher as a potential replacement for Jose Sa, especially amid growing speculation that Sa could be on his way to Saudi Arabia. Kelleher, who had been playing second fiddle to Liverpool’s Alisson, was believed to be seeking more first-team opportunities. Wolves were said to be interested in the Irish goalkeeper, with reports suggesting that a deal could have cost the club more than £20 million. However, the transfer never materialised, and now, as Sa has regained his spot as the club’s number one, Kelleher’s recent penalty save against Kylian Mbappé has highlighted what Wolves may have missed out on. Had Wolves pursued the deal for Kelleher, they could have added a talented and experienced goalkeeper, potentially avoiding the current goalkeeper conundrum at Molineux.
“Wolves’ £10 Million Gamble on Johnstone Highlights Missed Chance to Sign Impressive Caoimhin Kelleher”
In the end, Wolves opted to bring in Sam Johnstone for £10 million to address their goalkeeper situation, but the move has yet to yield the desired results. Johnstone has struggled to meet expectations, and his injury over the international break has further complicated matters. Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher, the goalkeeper Wolves were reportedly eyeing in the summer as a potential replacement for Jose Sa, has been impressing for Liverpool this season. With Alisson sidelined, Kelleher has stepped up, showcasing his quality between the posts. His recent performances, including a stunning penalty save from Kylian Mbappé, have only reinforced what Wolves may have missed out on, as Kelleher continues to shine while Johnstone’s time at Molineux remains uncertain.
“Wolves’ Missed Opportunity: Caoimhin Kelleher’s Stunning Form for Liverpool Highlights What Could Have Been”
Caoimhin Kelleher, a goalkeeper once linked with a move to Wolves, has been in superb form this season, making a strong case for why the club might regret not pursuing him. The 25-year-old has made 10 appearances for Liverpool so far, keeping five clean sheets, with one of those coming in a commanding performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Kelleher made three crucial saves during that match, including two from shots inside the area, but it was his penalty heroics that truly stole the show. The Irish goalkeeper saved Kylian Mbappé’s penalty, marking the 10th penalty save of his career, including shootouts.
Had Wolves moved for Kelleher earlier in the summer, they could have secured a reliable and talented goalkeeper, potentially avoiding the current goalkeeper dilemma with Sam Johnstone, whose £10 million move to Molineux has not yet delivered the same level of impact. Instead, Kelleher’s performances for Liverpool are proving just how much the club could have benefited from his shot-stopping ability.
“Wolves May Have Missed a Trick by Not Pursuing Caoimhin Kelleher This Summer”
While it’s unclear how close Wolves ever came to signing Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer, the Irish goalkeeper is certainly proving his worth for Liverpool this season, and his stock is rapidly rising. Given the uncertainty surrounding Jose Sa’s future at Molineux, it seemed like a logical move for Wolves to explore goalkeeper options, yet many are now questioning why a stronger push wasn’t made to secure Kelleher.
The Liverpool shot-stopper has been in stellar form, keeping a clean sheet in 50% of his appearances this season, conceding just seven goals. His impressive stats also stand out—according to fbref, Kelleher boasts a save percentage of 73.9%, which surpasses both Sa (58.3%) and Johnstone (65.6%). As Kelleher continues to shine at Liverpool, Wolves may now be left wondering what could have been had they acted more decisively in their pursuit of a goalkeeper who’s consistently delivered when called upon.
“Wolves May Have Missed a Trick by Not Signing Caoimhin Kelleher: A Missed Opportunity for a Rising Star”
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Wolves may have missed an opportunity by not pushing harder to sign Caoimhin Kelleher this summer. Not only has the 23-year-old goalkeeper been stellar for Liverpool this season, but he also offers more than just shot-stopping. Kelleher has an impressive passing completion rate of 75.2%, a significant improvement over both Jose Sa (57.3%) and Sam Johnstone (66%), showcasing his ability to contribute to the team’s build-up play.
While it’s easy to say in hindsight that Wolves should have pursued Kelleher, the reality is that he had long been an excellent backup at Anfield, providing reliable support when called upon. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp once described Kelleher as ‘outstanding,’ highlighting the faith his coaches have had in him despite playing second fiddle to Alisson. Given Kelleher’s age and potential, Wolves could have secured a promising long-term option for their goalkeeper position. Even if he had started as a backup to Sa, it wouldn’t have taken long for Kelleher to stake his claim for the number one spot at Molineux. With his form continuing to rise, Wolves may now regret not moving more aggressively to bring him in.