'Eliezer Mayenda follows in Newcastle star's footsteps' at Sunderland

Eliezer Mayenda has enjoyed a stellar season of progress this term as he becomes more of a dependable player in the Sunderland side.

Mayenda was brought into the Stadium of Light as something of a project signing when he arrived in 2023, and an unsuccessful loan to Hibernian had the minds of many made up that the young Spaniard was nowhere near the level required for the Championship anytime soon.

But his impact has come via some crucial goals and assists, a swagger in his style of play popular with the fans on Wearside and he has been rewarded with a recent call for the Spanish Under-21 side.

Mayenda similarity to Dan Burn revealed

It's easy to forget with Mayenda's build, stamina and quiet confidence that he is still just 19, having signed from Sochaux as one of numerous unknown quantities at Sunderland.

While many young attacking starlets have fallen by the wayside in the English game including Luis Hemir Semedo and Jewison Bennette, Mayenda has excelled for Sunderland with 12 goal contributions including seven goals in 30 Championship appearances this term.

TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Mackem News, intriguingly compared Mayenda to Newcastle United centre-half Dan Burn of all people - one which could be precarious with the fans on the red and white side of the North East.

Darke explained that when some fans were tempted to categorise Mayenda early on in the same group as the youngsters who failed to meet the level required at Sunderland, Burn is an example to consider of a player who has made the best of their career.

"I think it comes down to a lot of hard work on Mayenda's part and the penny dropping," he said.

"Players do improve. If you listen, learn and work hard - the message for a lot of young players from managers when they're awaiting their chance - you could be a massive success story.

"We've seen it with Dan Burn - stacking shelves in a shop and now playing for England. The lad Mayenda has made a breakthrough, and it looks like the penny has dropped and the player realises what it takes and how to deliver it to play at that kind of level."

Sunderland need their Spaniard's form to continue

Regis Le Bris knows Sunderland have slipped into a sketchy run of form, on par with the mid-table area of the Championship.

For a team in fourth place who will certainly be in the play-offs come the end of the season, motivation may not come as naturally but the Frenchman must discover that momentum in the run-in.

Mayenda has recently kept even Wilson Isidor out of the starting line-up - a player who has adapted excellently since arriving from Zenit St Petersburg and has smashed double figures in front of goal.