Jewison Bennette development showcases one ‘issue’ with Sunderland model
Jewison Bennette has had a strange time since making the move to Sunderland, having been completely frozen out of the first team this season.
Sunderland have given a good account of themselves in the Championship this season, though that form has seen game time become a fantasy for Bennette.
The Costa Rican international is yet to feature in a single matchday squad in the league, while being limited to just one appearance in the cup defeat to Preston earlier in the campaign.
Even with the absence of both Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle up until recently, Regis Le Bris still opted against utilising him and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon amid the latest news to come from Wearside.
Sunderland departure on cards for Bennette
Kristjaan Speakman has done an excellent job at Sunderland, with much of his job criteria revolving around the deals to sign young foreign talent.
Bennette was one of those to be brought to the Stadium of Light, and despite impressing in periods in the last campaign, he has effectively fallen of the face of the earth, with a departure pending.
| Sunderland | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Jewison Bennette | 21 | 2 | 2 |
FC Cherkasy is believed to be his next destination, with a fee in the region of £418,000 [Zorya Londonsk].
While on the face of it, an exit is hardly a bad thing given his lack of involvement, it does show the risks that are often associated with the current model at Sunderland.
For the large part, it has brought plenty of success, but in regard to the deals for Bennette and a couple of others, it has seen the Black Cats take a minor financial hit in terms of losses from the transfer fee.
Le Bris will have reasoning for Bennette omission
Le Bris has had an excellent first season in the Championship, and has had to overcome some fairly challenging circumstances.
However, all of the decisions made by the Frenchman have been made in the best interests of the football club, and it’s likely to be same in regard to the Bennette situation.
As for now, his focus will be on building as much momentum as possible for Sunderland heading into the final 11 games of the season.