Eliezer Mayenda mystery deepens after what happened in Sunderland draw vs Man City
Eliezer Mayenda’s absence has been made to look even stranger after his display against Man City.
Sunderland secured a point in a goalless draw with Man City on New Year’s Day, much to the surprise of everyone at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were without seven players against a side who welcomed back Jeremy Doku and Rodri, and yet still managed to maintain their unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
The result itself was remarkable, but the performance of Mayenda really threw another spanner in the works on Wearside, and it begs the same question that has been asked for months now – where has he been?
Regis Le Bris has some questions to answer over Eliezer Mayenda
Prior to Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Mayenda had played just four minutes of Premier League football since mid-October.
Since then, the Spanish youth international has played 112 minutes, mainly due to the absence of the likes of Chemsidine Talbi and Bertrand Traore.
While he failed to register a goal or an assist in the two games he’s played this week, his performances have been impressive, especially against Man City.
Despite coming up against one of the best young left-backs in the Premier League, Mayenda caused issues for the City defence all night.
- Three dribbles completed (100% accuracy)
- Five ground duels won
- Three aerial duels won
- Two fouls won
His pressing was also a key factor behind the Black Cats’ result, with Pep Guardiola even admitting his side couldn’t cope with the pressure of Sunderland’s front three in the first half.
His performance against City certainly makes the mystery of his absence even more bizarre.
Has Mayenda’s performance changed Sunderland’s transfer priority
With Sunderland having been linked with Brennan Johnson before a move to Crystal Palace progressed, it became apparent that they wanted to bring in a new eight-winger.
As things stand, they only have Traore, who is natural there, with Talbi and Simon Adingra both better on the left.
Mayenda was, presumably, seen as a striker at the start of the season, but his dribbling ability in particular may have changed that, thus perhaps making the arrival of another striker more important.
Artem Dovbyk has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, as has Santiago Gimenez, with the next few days potentially set to paint a clearer picture as to what the Black Cats will look to target.
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