AliousThe excitement surrounding Jewison Bennette’s arrival at Sunderland was undeniable. When the Costa Rican winger signed in 2022, he appeared to fit the mold of yet another hidden gem—discovered for a bargain price and primed for a breakout under the club’s ambitious recruitment strategy. However, fast forward nearly 550 days since his last league appearance, and Bennette now stands on the verge of an unexpected departure to Ukraine’s top division, with little indication that he will ever wear Sunderland’s colors again.
Initially, his potential shone through. Joining from Herediano on a four-year contract, the teenage prospect showed promise in his debut season, contributing two goals and an assist across 18 appearances. Predictably, there were challenges adjusting to life in England, but overall, he seemed to validate Kristjaan Speakman’s talent-spotting philosophy. Then, things took a downward turn. Last season, as Sunderland endured a string of uninspired performances, Bennette’s involvement dwindled to a single, almost surreal cameo against Southampton—an appearance remembered for its erratic spins, an ambitious cross to Chris Rigg, and his subsequent disappearance from the first-team scene.
From there, his career trajectory stalled. A loan spell in Greece failed to reignite his progress, and despite interest in the summer transfer window, no concrete move materialized. In January, a last-minute deal to join Charlton Athletic collapsed, leaving him with only a fleeting nine-minute Carabao Cup appearance and sporadic outings for the U21s under Graeme Murty. Now, however, Bennette is reportedly close to securing a transfer to FC LNZ Cherkasy in Ukraine—a move confirmed by Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris, who acknowledged that the young forward “needs to play.”
Sunderland’s willingness to let him go ultimately boils down to two key questions: do they still need him, and does he need a fresh start? The answer to both is clear. At 20, Bennette still has time to develop, but his exclusion from Le Bris’ plans signals a logical moment for both parties to move on.
That said, Bennette’s ability is not in doubt. Whenever he plays for the U21s, he stands out as one of the most exciting talents on the pitch, demonstrating exceptional work ethic and a level of skill that suggests he is overdue for more competitive football. Given his international experience—including 15 senior caps and a World Cup appearance—his struggle to secure first-team minutes is surprising. However, as his career reaches a crucial crossroads, he risks drifting from promising youngster to unfulfilled potential. The best way to prevent that outcome is for him to secure regular senior football, wherever that may be.
From Sunderland’s perspective, allowing Bennette to explore a move is the right call. Even if his departure doesn’t directly benefit the club in the long term, the player himself will likely gain from the opportunity. For his sake, hopefully, this next step proves to be the fresh start he needs.
Alious
