It is being widely reported in both Belgium and England that Sunderland are closing in on adding Noah Sadiki. The Congolese midfielder is set to swap Union St Gilloise for the newly promoted Black Cats for a fee said to be in the region of โฌ20m once bonuses have been factored in. For Union, who spent just over โฌ1m to bring Sadiki over from Anderlecht a few seasons ago, this is a huge profit. However, Sadiki was a key player in their title winning season and will certainly be missed.
Sunderland fans should be excited by the prospect of Sadiki. The midfielder began his career as a full back but transitioned into a central midfield role, where he flourished. He was the underrated x factor in Unionโs first title since the 1930s and clearly Sunderland were able to see this. Sadiki will bring physicality to the Sunderland midfield and his game should be suited to the fast paced physical nature of the Premier League. Given that Sunderland are likely to see less of the ball than their opponents next season, Sadiki will be crucial in winning battles in the midfield and helping the side recover the ball.
While his two goals and three assists in 55 games may not jump off the page, his ability on the ball should not be underestimated. Sadiki is more than just a defensive midfielder, with his strength giving him the ability to hold off opposition players. His passing numbers are also good, with an 87.3% pass accuracy across the 2024/2025 campaign (using FotMob data).
Sadiki is one of those players who passes the eye test more than the data test. Anyone who has watched a Union game will have noticed the impact he has on the side. He was always involved in both defensive and attacking actions and certainly does not let the game pass him by. This all action approach endeared Sadiki to the Union faithful during his two seasons with the club.
The biggest test Sadiki will have his in transitioning from the Belgian Pro League to the Premier League. He has had a taste of European football at the Europa League level, but the step up to the Premier League has been a struggle for players from the Pro League in the past. At just 20 years of age, Sadiki has all the time in the world to develop further. Hopefully, the Congolese international can prove to be a successful signing for Sunderland for the upcoming season.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
