Sunderland struck gold with Josh Maja

Sunderland have been by a tricky few years, and regardless of their quite a few relegations, there have been some shining lights amongst the dismal years.

Their drop down the divisions naturally led to monetary implications, which possible pressured them to keep away from costly transfers and as an alternative look to the academy for expertise.

Ought to Sunderland have saved Josh Maja?

While he didn’t handle to half their stoop, Josh Maja nonetheless impressed after breaking into the senior squad.

The Nigerian striker had been on the membership since 2015, having beforehand been educated on the likes of Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester Metropolis.

He was a well-travelled teen, and though he struggled throughout their Championship season the place they had been relegated, he began the League One season impressively.

Scoring four in his first 4 through the 2018/19 season, he would go on to bag 15 league objectives in simply 24 video games.

The 23-year-old was quoted as possessing a “natural ability” – within the phrases of Jack Ross – that made him so successful throughout his brief time on the Stadium of Mild.

It due to this fact would make his contract dispute all of the extra irritating, as he was because of go away on a free on the finish of that season.

Determined to depart however clearly feeling like he owed the membership not less than one thing, he opted to depart in January as an alternative of seeing out the marketing campaign.

Having come by the ranks and value nothing, to promote him on for £3.5m marks sensational worth for a membership that was, on the time, languishing in League One.

He featured simply 49 occasions in complete for the Black Cats earlier than shifting on to Bordeaux, the place he would as soon as once more face relegation with the Ligue 1 facet because of monetary points.

Regardless of his age, Maja appears to as soon as once more be displaying his character within the decrease division, as this season he already has seven objectives and three assists in 11 outings.

Throughout a interval of abject distress for Sunderland, Maja stood as the only real glimmer of hope for followers on Wearside.

Blessed with tempo, talent and the power to complete, it was clear that while the membership was in such disrepute, he would at all times be angling for a transfer away. Fortunately, they nonetheless managed to make a good-looking revenue from the teen.