Football can be quite ironic. Despite spending the entire summer searching for a suitable first-team striker, Sunderland seems to have had one all along.
Throughout the summer, much of the focus on Wearside was Sunderland’s need for a striker. Although they signed Wilson Isidor and Ahmed Abdullahi, many fans were disappointed with the club’s recruitment efforts.
It now appears that Sunderland’s solution was right under their nose in Eliezer Mayenda. By giving the 19-year-old a chance, Regis Le Bris has uncovered a valuable asset in the young Spaniard.
At the season’s outset, Sunderland’s urgent need for a striker was clear, given the poor performance of their forwards last season. Le Bris had limited options, including Nazariy Rusyn, Luis ‘Hemir’ Semedo, and Mayenda. After a lackluster loan spell at Hibernian, few expected Mayenda to turn things around this season.
Initially, in Sunderland’s first Championship game against Cardiff City, Mayenda had a prime chance to make an impact but missed an easy opportunity. Post-match, many viewed him as a promising prospect for the future. However, Mayenda quickly proved his critics wrong, transforming perceptions within weeks.
In Sunderland’s second game against Sheffield Wednesday, Mayenda took full advantage of his chance, scoring twice and earning the man of the match award. His first goal, a fine strike from outside the box, was followed by a second from a Jack Clarke cross. His positioning, which had been a weakness for Sunderland’s strikers last season, was spot-on.
In a recent win against Portsmouth, Mayenda demonstrated his versatility. During the build-up to Sunderland’s third goal, he showcased impressive power and strength on the break before assisting Romaine Mundle. Though Mundle missed an excellent chance, Mayenda’s two assists and overall performance highlighted his potential.
At just 19, Mayenda is still developing but has shown considerable promise in Sunderland’s early games this season. Le Bris deserves credit for giving Mayenda an unexpected opportunity and implementing a system that suits his style. While Sunderland’s summer striker search may have seemed necessary, Mayenda’s recent form suggests it may not have been. His contributions of two goals and two assists since his starting role underscore his value to the team.
