Sunderland’s seventh-placed finish in the Premier League and subsequent Europa League qualification was a remarkable achievement from a newly-promoted club, albeit there was an appreciation that they mostly were driven by a wealth of new signings on Wearside, rather than those who had finished fourth in the Championship 12 months earlier.
Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey claimed the majority of the plaudits among the new faces from those watching on from afar. But for a number of Sunderland fans, Noah Sadiki was the arrival who proved to be one of the biggest difference-makers.
Signed from Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, Sadiki came to the Stadium of Light with comparisons to N’Golo Kante thanks to his relentless nature and smart use of the ball, and he certainly lived up to that billing. Reports of interest from Champions League teams have emerged sporadically, but more might sit up and take notice if Sadiki can translate his club displays into the international arena with DR Congo.
Playing at their first World Cup since they competed as Zaire in 1974, DR Congo will need Sadiki’s energy in midfield if they are to cause a shock or two in North America. And at a tournament that is predicted to be slow-paced, the 21-year-old could stick out like a sore thumb as a true game-changing talent.
