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“Sunderland’s Big Mistake?”- The truth behind Ekwah and Aleksić’s Sunderland Departures as both player have been linked with move away from the club in recent days. Could their exit from Stadium of Light be good for them?
John Wilson Reflects on Aleksić and Ekwah Loan Decisions
John Wilson says…
“When it comes to player loans, we don’t have access to what coaches observe day in and day out in training—as supporters, we can only judge based on matches on a Saturday. Ultimately, we must trust the coaching staff’s expertise—and I do.
I fully understand Aleksić’s loan move. He’s still a young player trying to establish himself in the Championship.
Expecting him to compete immediately at Premier League level may be a stretch for now. Still, we should keep hold of him—he possesses pace, effort, and real skill, and he could develop into a solid player.
Ekwah, however, is more complicated—mainly because I really like what I’ve seen from him! Although he’s not a finished product (hence the loan), and still needs to improve defensively, his performances caught my attention.
I even brought a Manchester United fan friend to watch him at the Stadium of Light, and he was impressed—asking, ‘Who’s he?’ and later, ‘I like him.’
Under Tony Mowbray, Ekwah looked excellent at times, and I even crafted a chant for him: ‘Voulez vous couche avec moi…
Ekwah!’ Ultimately, the decision is beyond us—we must trust the coaches. But I believe there’s a talented player in him, and I hope his loan doesn’t come back to haunt us.”
Mark Wood Offers His Take on the Loan Moves
Mark Wood says…
“Aleksić’s loan move makes perfect sense. He’s been on the fringes of our first team since he arrived, mainly making brief appearances.
Even when given starts—especially toward season’s end—he struggled to make the most of them.
The Premier League will only be tougher, and depending on who we sign this summer, he might fall even further down the pecking order. A full season out on loan could do wonders for his growth.
As for Ekwah, I remember his explosive breakthrough at the end of the 2022/23 season—like that playoff semi-final against Luton—and the electric start to the next campaign, including two goals in a 5–0 win over Southampton.
Sadly, that was as good as it got. A long-running ‘dead leg’ sidelined him for months, and he was never the same again.
Across more than 50 appearances, those top-tier performances were rare.
When he was at his best, he looked like a dominant midfield presence—strong in tight areas, able to hold and turn under pressure—something like Jobe Bellingham. But consistency eluded him.
He arrived at 21 and Sunderland was his fourth senior club, including his time at Nantes.
It’s possible mindset played a part—former Saint-Étienne coach Régis Le Bris noted Ekwah believed he belonged at the top level. Tony Mowbray also mentioned struggles with overseas players settling in.
He seemed more at ease in France, having a decent season despite his team’s relegation.
At 23, Ekwah now needs to find a club where he can cement his place. I can’t see him getting regular minutes here, so this loan is make-or-break.”
