Danny Welbeck ‘perfect Eliezer Mayenda partner’ in Sunderland transfer latest
Eliezer Mayenda was an unlikely hero as Sunderland clinched promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
The striker spent the second half of the 2023/34 season on loan with Hibernian, but failed to score a single goal.
However, this season, Mayenda was a different beast for Sunderland and caught the eye with a series of impressive displays.
With the Black Cats now back in the big time, the Wearsiders could call on former player Danny Welbeck to guide the 20-year-old.
Welbeck wanted for sensational Sunderland return
Sunderland can dream about the Premier League season now that the official fixtures have been announced.
Regis Le Bris’ side have been handed a favourable start with home games against West Ham and Brentford, either side of a trip to Burnley.
Chelsea will travel to the Stadium of Light for the final game of the season, and they have fond memories of playing them at a similar time in 2016.
| Date | Competition | Stadium | Result |
| 21 March 2015 | Premier League | Upton Park | West Ham 1-0 Sunderland |
| 3 October 2015 | Premier League | Stadium of Light | Sunderland 2-2 West Ham |
| 27 February 2016 | Premier League | Upton Park | West Ham 1-0 Sunderland |
| 22 October 2016 | Premier League | Upton Park | West Ham 1-0 Sunderland |
| 15 April 2017 | Premier League | Stadium of Light | Sunderland 2-2 West Ham |
Reaction was rife on television and social media as supporters, pundits, and journalists reacted to the news.
Indeed, some were even speculating over potential transfers from around the Premier League grounds.
Roker Report’s Antony Waterson was live at the Stadium of Light, speaking to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie (18 June, 10:42 am).
Downie asked Waterson what business he would like to see Sunderland do ahead of the new season.
He replied: “I think we probably need another striker just to help out Eliezer Mayenda, who’s still very, very young.
“Again, I’m going back to former players, Danny Welbeck, an experienced Premier League player. He scored 10 goals last year in a good Brighton side.
“Them, coming here to help our young players, give them that experience, his experience in purring them on for me is a no-brainer.”
Welbeck would be a statement signing for Black Cats
It would be fair to say that Welbeck is still an admired figure on Wearside after dumping Newcastle United out of the FA Cup.
After the game, he said: “Somebody gave me stick there… doesn’t know I’m a Mackem at heart.”
Welbeck enjoyed a successful season on loan at the Stadium of Light during the 2010/11 season while on loan from Manchester United.
The Englishman operated mainly on the wing but provided pace and intelligence alongside Asamoah Gyan.
Welbeck has over 100 Premier League goal contributions to his name and would be a worthy frontman for Le Bris.
Furthermore, he would be a perfect fit to mentor the likes of Mayenda and Wilson Isidor as they prepare for their first season in England’s top tier.
Sign up for the Mackem News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest,
breaking Sunderland AFC news sent straight to your phone.