Points for Sa: ‘It would have been impossible for him to have a good career if he hadn’t gone to Olympiakos’

The Portuguese coach Lionel Pontes, who had a short stay in our country on behalf of Panetolikos, spoke to the English “expressandstar” in the best words about the former Olympiacos and now Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Pontes said he has been waiting for the Portugal international goalkeeper’s good course while he believes his move to the Red and Whites has been good for him because it helped him move to the Premier League and Wolves, where he is is having a great season.

Details of what Lionel Pontes said about Sa: “I had worked with him in 2014-2015 and he was 21-22 years old at the time. He wasn’t an important goalkeeper. We had Romain Salin but since then his perspective has been clear. He had very good skills and very good qualities and fitness for the position and he was tall.

When he went to Olympiakos it was probably the best choice for him and the time to play at a high level. This tenure at Olympiakos gave him the opportunity to join the Wolves team. In 2014 we knew he could have a good career.

Martins’ move, which took him to Olympiakos, was very important. When I went to Maritimo, Martins was Jose’s first coach in Group B. Then he went to Olympiakos and this transfer was very important for Sa. He couldn’t have had a good career if he hadn’t gone to Olympiakos where he won the championship won, played in the Champions League and gained in maturity and quality. Because of this, he easily adapted to the Premier League.

Sa can become one of the best Portuguese goalkeepers. I have no doubt that he will be among the top four goalkeepers in the national team and from there the trio will be selected for the World Cup. It’s not easy to cover Rui Patricio, the country’s No. 1. For me, it’s in the top 10 in the world.”