View: Le Bris must utilise Eliezer Mayenda v Stoke to prevent Sunderland fall-off
Eliezer Mayenda has barely featured at Sunderland since his return from injury despite impressing in the opening stages of the season.
Wilson Isidor took Mayenda’s spot up top and has thrived although it isn’t his position in question.
In fact, Mayenda has shown his ability to perform out wide for Sunderland and he must replace Patrick Roberts against Stoke.
The latter was responsible for a missed penalty against Sheffield United last time out and has been underwhelming all season, with just one goal to his name.
Eliezer Mayenda must start for Sunderland against Stoke
Goals, or lack of, has been the main concern for the Black Cats throughout their current six-game winless run that has seen them knocked off the summit of the Championship.
Roberts has failed to improve that concern having scored just once all season. In fact, that goal is the only one he has scored since March 2023. A woeful record and Mayenda must replace him against Stoke and show what he is capable of.
The Spaniard was utilised in the latter stages of their defeat at Bramall Lane and according to FotMob, completed 100 per cent of the two dribbles attempted.
He was constantly looking to drive at opposition defenders and looked a real threat on the ball.
Throughout the season, he has registered a 77.8 per cent accuracy which when taking into account the areas in which he’s attempting passes, is a solid outcome.
Of course, despite having featured far less, Mayenda has the same number of goal contributions this season as Roberts with two goals and two assists.
Those two goals arrived from an xG (expected goals) of 3.03, which isn’t necessarily crucial although it does show his underperformance when it comes to finishing which is why a wide role could be perfect for him.
On average, Mayenda completes 1.59 dribbles per game while recording 1.3 shots on goal per 90. He provides a different style of threat to Roberts who has seemingly been found out.
In other Sunderland news, Trey Ogunsyi could be the answer to David Jones’ question.
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