Alious
Noah Sadiki’s future at Sunderland already appears uncertain, despite the midfielder only recently arriving on Wearside. Belgian analyst Filip Joos believes the Black Cats will struggle to keep hold of the highly-rated youngster if his current level of performance continues.
Speaking to *Sporza*, Joos admitted he has been thoroughly impressed by Sadiki, particularly after watching him in Sunderland’s recent Tyne–Wear derby triumph over Newcastle United.
Sunderland edged the contest 1–0, courtesy of a Nick Woltemade own goal, in a game that offered little in the way of attacking quality, with both sides combining for an expected goals total of just 0.54. While the match itself lacked sparkle, Sadiki’s display stood out as a rare positive.
The 20-year-old has been turning heads ever since completing a big-money move from Union Saint-Gilloise in July, with Sunderland paying an initial €17m plus a further €3m in add-ons. Since then, Sadiki has quickly established himself as a central figure in the squad.
He has featured 16 times across all competitions and has started every Premier League match this season, playing a major role in Sunderland’s impressive campaign. The Black Cats currently sit eighth in the table, just two points shy of the top four, after a remarkable start to life back in the top flight.
Such consistency has inevitably drawn attention from elsewhere. Reports suggest that heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea are already monitoring Sadiki’s progress closely.
For Joos, that interest comes as no surprise. In his view, Sadiki’s defining strength is his ability to remain unchanged regardless of the environment or level he is playing at.
“He’s exactly the same player wherever he goes,” Joos explained. “That’s an incredible quality. He’s the same guy we saw at Union, just performing at a higher level now. Even in a tougher league, he plays in exactly the same way.
“He doesn’t hold anything back through fear, caution, or respect for the level. He doesn’t lose even five percent of himself. With that mindset, you have to ask—how long can he really stay at Sunderland? He’s the ideal solution for so many teams.”
If Sadiki maintains his current trajectory, Sunderland may soon find themselves fighting off elite suitors—or preparing for life without one of their brightest stars.
Alious
