Anth Gair says…
I think all of the signs are that he has the heart to be a footballer at the highest level — he just has to keep this kind of work rate up forever.
Although we haven’t seen much of him, on the international stage he’s obviously very comfortable with what his tasks are for the Ivory Coast.
I don’t think he’s going to tear up any trees immediately, but he will play a big part in the side next season, I reckon. Either way, he appears to have got over his injury pretty well, and has hit the ground running
upon his return.
There’s a gap voided by Bertrand Traoré to fill, and I hope he gets a good go at it!
Dean McDonald says…
He looks like a good young player from the small sample size we have of him, but of course more of that has been in his international performances.
The goals he’s scored aren’t scored by just any young player — he showed very good composure and quality with a number of those goals.
He’ll more than likely be a rotation player next season, but that’ll be crucial with four competitions to take part in. Hopefully we bring in a top right winger he can learn from and hone his game without the pressure of being a starting winger.
Mark Ryan says…
Everything pointed to him being a developmental signing, but I think it speaks volumes about how the club and Régis Le Bris feel about him that he got a start at the first opportunity after signing.
The alternate timeline where he doesn’t immediately injure himself again is interesting one.
We desperately need an “impact” right winger, but he’s going to get minutes next year.
Matthew Donne says…
I think from glimpses we saw last season, there’s definitely a player in there and one with a high ceiling.
I’d still consider him to be more of a developmental option on that right side but one that’ll definitely feature throughout the season.
I think we can be excited and take great comfort in his post-season performances as his time with the club was hampered by niggling injuries. Régis Le Bris is also very established in developing young players, so we can be excited by his desire to keep him in the first team fold.
Max says…
His performances have been really encouraging and there are some really positive signs there.
From his brief cameo against Fulham, and his highlights in the tournament, he looks as though he’s trusted to deliver dead balls, something that is really important in today’s game.
I was excited by Régis Le Bris’ comments about him not wanting to loan him out, and he’s someone who looks like they could for sure benefit from Sunderland having a few extra games this season — especially with Bertrand Traore’s departure — so I’d like him to fill that gap of being our backup right winger.
Owen Sara says…
From his brief couple cameos, he looks tidy on the ball and looks he would cause problems. From what I’ve seen, he can also strike a dead ball, which will be an asset. He does look slightly lightweight and is brushed off it quite easily, though.
With a full pre-season behind him, we’ll hopefully see a positive impact and with Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup games to come, he should get ample opportunities to show what he can do.
Wadey says…
I have a lot of time for exciting attacking players and he fits the bill. I’d love to see a bit more of him next season as an impact sub if nothing else.
His unpredictability could be a brilliant weapon late in games — we’ve already shown remarkable returns towards the end of games when opposition defenders tire.
He has the skills and the pace to have a major impact as a winger and if his recent U20 international return of four goals from four games is a predictor, bring it on!
