Jose Sa, Wolverhampton Wanderers badge, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
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Wolverhampton Wanderers will remain confident that they can go on and achieve an immediate return to the Premier League this season despite a tough start to life back in the second tier.
Following a 3-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night, Wolves have fallen to 9th in the Championship table, winning just four of their opening nine league games.
Whilst things could have gone a lot worse at this stage, case in point Burnley, they could have been a lot better, and as Cesar Peixoto weighs up what has and hasn’t worked thus far, there is one clear area which could do with some attention sooner rather than later.
Jose Sa has had a difficult season for Wolverhampton Wanderers so far
Jose Sa for Wolves
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As Wolves headed into the Championship, the goalkeeper decision was an area for debate at Molineux, as each of Daniel Bentley, Sam Johnstone, and Jose Sa were hoping to make a case for a place between the sticks following relegation.
Whilst Bentley started the season opener at home to Blackburn Rovers, he would quickly move on to Coventry City, leaving Johnstone and Sa to battle out for a place, as Joao Virginia joined as a backup option.
Johnstone would be loaned out to Celtic, and after winning the battle for the gloves in the Black Country, Sa would sign a fresh deal until the summer of 2028, but he has yet to reward the faith being put in him.
According to FotMob, the 33-year-old has allowed in 2.82 more goals than expected at this stage, and was largely at fault for their 3-1 home defeat to Bolton in midweek, as Peixoto should be considering his options ahead of January.
Wolverhampton Wanderers must consider Derby County raid for Jacob Widell Zetterström after Jose Sa’s struggles
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Sweden
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If Sa continues to struggle, Wolves simply cannot wait around for him to find form with promotion on the line, and must consider being proactive in the January window.
The goalkeeping position is always a tricky one to fill, especially in January, but given his current contract situation at Derby County, Swedish shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterström could be a serious option for Wolves.
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Jacob Widell Zetterström 2025/26 Derby County Championship statistics (Data from FotMob)
Appearances
Clean sheets
Saves
Goals prevented
Accurate long balls
Zetterstrom, 28, joined Derby in the summer of 2024 from Djurgarden, and has been the Rams’ undisputed number one ever since, heavily impressing and even representing his nation at the most recent World Cup in North America ahead of Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson and former Swansea City keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
With less than 12 months to go until his current deal at Pride Park expires, and no indication as yet that he will sign another, he could be picked up on the cheap and would be an instant upgrade on Sa as things stand.
Kieran Trippier, Championship badge, Kyle Walker-Peters
Kieran Trippier, Championship badge, Kyle Walker-Peters
Why Jacob Widell Zetterstrom would be an excellent option for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Derby
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Last season, according to FotMob, the Swede prevented 6.48 goals in the Championship for Derby, trailing only Coventry City’s Carl Rushworth and now-Middlesbrough shot-stopper Radek Vitek.
The 28-year-old ought to be in and around his prime years, and with over two years in the Championship under his belt, he has been afforded more than enough time to adapt to the division, and would take minimal time to adapt to life at Molineux.
If Wolves need an instant upgrade, without breaking the bank, and a proven track record in the league, Zetterstrom fits the bill, and if Sa continues to struggle, the Swede ought to be an utmost priority heading into the winter.
Cesar Peixoto must consider Derby County raid to fix key area for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Cesar Peixoto
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Having chosen his compatriot as his number one option ahead of this season, Wolves head coach Peixoto will certainly be hoping that the 33-year-old can come good and prove his worth sooner rather than later.
With over 150 Premier League appearances and five caps for Portugal to his name, Sa certainly doesn’t come without a reputation and proven track record of his own, but now, it could be time for both parties to start something new.
Peixoto faces a huge decision regarding the future of Sa, as the former Gil Vicente head coach cannot afford to stand idly by and watch his side's promotion hopes fade if there is something that can be done to prevent it.