Sunderland have been a side put through the wringer over recent years. They are a big club but playing in League One – English football’s third tier.
Sunderland fans will always follow their side and are fanatical in doing so. An example of this was a crowd of just shy of 30,000 watching them defeat Wycombe Wanderers yesterday.
The Black Cats are in the midst of restructuring after they were bought by billionaire heir Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. At 24 years old, Louis-Dreyfus is the youngest owner of an EFL club.
Many players have been brought in this summer but Alan Nixon, writing in The Sun on Sunday’s print edition (29.08.21, pg. 61) mentions a Sunderland youngster who is might be leaving.
Nixon on Kimpioka interest
Benjamin Kimpioka was snapped up by Sunderland from Swedish side IK Sirius and their youth set-up.
Since arriving at the Black Cats, chances have been limited for the youngster who signed a one-year extension last year which gives Sunderland the option of a further year.
Nixon writes that the 21-year-old Swedish national is wanted back in his homeland and that it is former club Sirius who are keen on snapping him back up.
Thoughts?
Kimpioka hasn’t really been given that run of games and chances at the Wearside club – that much is clear.
However, in the 14 appearances that he’s made for the senior squad, he hasn’t let them down and has returned three goals and an assist.
He is also a regular scorer at age-group level. In 48 Under-23 games he has 10 goals to his name as well as 15 goals at Under-18 level.
Given the lack of exposure since signing with Sunderland, and the time it took him to agree his new deal, a move back to Sweden might not be a bad move for Kimpioka.
However, Sunderland could be letting a highly-rated young player slip through their grasp.
