After a promising run in March and April, Wolves are threatening to end the season how they started it, with a streak of losses.
Wolves were Europe’s in-form team only a few weeks ago following six wins on the bounce, but since their 3-0 win over Leicester City, their results and performances have taken a turn for the worse.
The Wanderers have now lost three games on the spin, including defeats against Manchester City, Brighton and most recently, Crystal Palace.
Wolves lost 4-2 at Palace on Tuesday night, as the Eagles exposed their defensive fragility, with Vitor Pereira naming a much-altered side.
One player who benefited from wholesale changes to the starting lineup was winger Pablo Sarabia, who was signed for £4.4 million in 2023, but failed to take his opportunity at Selhurst Park.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Pablo Sarabia was woeful against Crystal Palace
In a campaign where some Wolves stars have made themselves heroes, most notably Jorgen Strand Larsen, Sarabia has earned mixed reviews.
While his heroics from the bench against Ipswich Town earned them all three points from behind in April, along with his incredible free kick at Old Trafford, some of his other displays have been woeful to watch.
During the defeat to Brighton, Liam Keen criticised Sarabia as the ‘worst’ player to come off the bench on the occasion, yet Pereira didn’t see it that way, rewarding him a place in the starting line-up.
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The 32-year-old had an opportunity to stake his claim for a potential new contract, with his current deal expiring, but his all-round performance was poor.
Although it was his delivery from the corner that led to Wolves’ first goal, he was incredibly wasteful in possession, losing the ball a whopping 24 times and misplacing 12 of his passes, eventually being substituted for Matheus Cunha in the second half.
Pablo Sarabia’s stats vs Crystal Palace
67 minutes played
0 successful dribbles
1/7 accurate crosses
2/7 duels won
25/37 (68%) accurate passes
24 times possession lost
0 accurate long balls
For someone playing for his future at Molineux, it was hardly a performance from someone fighting for the badge, even if Pereira’s comments suggested otherwise.
What Vitor Pereira has said on Sarabia’s future
There is an acceptance that Sarabia will leave Wolves this summer. The Spanish playmaker is only used sporadically, is one of the club’s highest earners and is also entering the twilight years of his career.
Sarabia has been a super sub during his time at Molineux and is often capable of producing decisive moments in games, something that not many players can deliver.
Interestingly, before the clash against Crystal Palace, Pereira said he would like to keep Sarabia along with captain Nelson Semedo.
On Semedo & Sarabia out of contract: "Nelson knows we want him. Sarabia I like him, his personality and quality. We'll try to do our best, but at this moment I don't have the answer." #wwfc
— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) May 19, 2025
That was the first time the Portuguese had spoken openly about the former PSG star’s future. But even if he wants to see him stay in Wolverhampton, with interest from Saudi Arabia, the MLS, and Spain, it feels impossible to stand in his way.