AliousRegis Le Bris made up his mind rather quickly—Pierre Ekwah was not part of his vision for Sunderland this season. Within weeks of taking charge on Wearside, and after seeing the midfielder in competitive action for just 90 minutes, Le Bris oversaw Ekwah’s departure. A loan deal was hastily arranged with Saint Etienne, and a player who had initially shown great promise at the Stadium of Light was swiftly moved on.
Since then, Ekwah’s long-term prospects have remained uncertain. Reports from France indicate that his loan agreement includes an option for Saint Etienne to sign him permanently at the end of the season for approximately £6 million. However, there has been no definitive sign that the French club intends to activate this clause. Adding to the uncertainty, Saint Etienne are currently locked in a battle to avoid relegation, a struggle that could have a major impact on their financial situation and their ability to commit to such a transfer.
Meanwhile, there remains a theoretical chance that Sunderland could choose to reintegrate Ekwah into their squad during the summer. If his loan spell in France has revitalized him, he might return with renewed confidence and determination, ready to prove his worth. However, **Football League World** suggests that this scenario is highly unlikely. According to the outlet, Sunderland have “no plans” to bring him back into the fold, making a permanent departure from the club the most probable outcome.
At first glance, Sunderland’s decision to move on from Ekwah appears reasonable. The club already boasts solid depth in midfield, and it is difficult to see how he could secure a regular spot in the lineup, whether in a defensive role or as a more advanced playmaker. The situation is similar to that of Adil Aouchiche, who was sent on loan to Portsmouth last month due to a lack of available minutes.
However, there are potential complications. Sunderland could face significant interest in their young midfield talents this summer, with Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg both reportedly on the radar of other clubs. Captain Dan Neil is also attracting attention from potential suitors. Beyond those three, Salis Abdul Samed is only on loan, and Enzo Le Fée will likely return to AS Roma if Sunderland fail to secure Premier League promotion. Suddenly, the club’s midfield depth may not seem quite as secure.
Furthermore, Ekwah’s performances in France suggest that he is more than holding his own. While Saint Etienne’s season has been challenging, data from Wyscout indicates that the Sunderland loanee has been performing impressively. His pass completion rate stands at 88.2%, matching Bellingham’s and surpassing Neil’s by 3%. Additionally, his dribbling success rate is 2.8% higher than Bellingham’s and a significant 11% better than Neil’s.
Given these numbers, Sunderland’s willingness to part ways with Ekwah raises a legitimate debate. Could they be making a costly mistake?
Alious
