The fun of the switch window, eh? For Sunderland, deadline day was a roller-coaster trip.
Early within the day, the Black Cats agreed a deal to signal Malick Fofana from Lyon. But, Premier League rivals Crystal Palace entered the dialog, seeking to hijack a deal.
Palace have been assured that new supervisor Pierre Sage, somebody who had labored with Fofana, was going to have the ability to entice him to Selhurst Park as an alternative.
In the long run, the participant selected Sunderland, however not earlier than present process medicals in France for each groups.
On the similar time, additionally they pursued Benfica’s Dodi Lukebakio however the path went chilly on that one.
Why Sunderland signed Fofana over Lukebakio
The profile of winger Sunderland have been chasing on deadline day was clear; they wished a maverick, a robust provider of the ball, somebody with elite dribbling abilities.
Nicely, each Fofana and Lukebakio fitted into that class. The latter, aged 28, is within the prime of his profession and whereas he did solely rating twice for Benfica final time period, he did rank among the many high 4% of wingers in Europe’s high 5 leagues for profitable dribbles per 90 with a whopping 3.26. He additionally ranked as extremely as the highest 3% for progressive carries with 5.92 per 90.
A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in the direction of the opponent’s purpose at the least ten yards from its start line or is carried into the penalty space.
On that proof, the winger would have been an actual livewire down the flanks for Sunderland. But, Fofana was their man.
On the age of 21, he is acquired promise and loads of potential. That is somebody with re-sale worth, a participant who can develop additional, in contrast to Lukebakio.
Just like the Benfica man, Fofana solely scored twice final season, however in 2024/25, there was actual promise. The teenager bagged 11 targets and ranked among the many best 12% of wingers in Europe for progressive carries per 90.
All that mentioned, did Le Bris and Co really miss out on even higher ahead than the pair of them?
Sunderland miss out on £30m deadline day signing
In what was a busy day for the Mackems, Fofana and Lukebakio weren’t the one gamers that have been focused.
Stories in Germany at round 10pm revealed how Augsburg’s Alexis Claude-Maurice had emerged as a late goal and was the topic of a written supply.
A proposal was additionally lodged for Leeds United’s Noah Okafor. Sunderland approached the Elland Highway facet with a “last-minute” £30m proposal but it surely was met with rejection from each the participant and membership.
This may have been a fascinating late arrival for Sunderland, not least as a result of Okafor is confirmed within the Premier League, one thing that Lukebakio and Fofana are usually not, but additionally as a result of he is only a higher all-round expertise.
Whereas the Swiss was one thing of a streaky participant throughout his first 12 months in English soccer, he did end 2025/26 with six targets and an help in his final seven matches.
An in-depth take a look at the information additional outlines the extent of expertise Sunderland missed out on right here.
|
Okafor vs Fofana: 2025/26 league stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 minutes) |
Okafor |
Fofana |
|
Non-penalty targets |
0.46 |
0.24 |
|
Photographs |
2.01 |
2.28 |
|
Open play large probabilities created |
0.23 |
0.36 |
|
Profitable dribbles |
2.24 |
0.84 |
|
Progressive actions |
6.26 |
6.47 |
|
Progressive carries |
3.90 |
4.19 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.35 |
2.28 |
|
Ball recoveries |
4.18 |
3.04 |
Fact be informed, there may be not lots to separate between Okafor and Fofana in the case of the important thing stats for a large participant. They take the same variety of photographs and in addition produce a close to an identical stage of progressive actions, whether or not it’s through passing or carrying.
A go is taken into account progressive if the gap between the place to begin and the following contact is at the least 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s purpose or any accomplished go into the penalty space.
The most important distinction lies of their dribbling potential. They’re each mavericks however the Leeds attacker is much extra productive on this regard. His output as nicely is much better.
The Switzerland worldwide ended his first marketing campaign in Yorkshrie with eight targets and three assists, albeit seven of these involvements got here within the remaining two months of the season.
He is one of many type wingers in English soccer and would have represented a significant addition for Le Bris had they pulled it off.
