Sunderland fans have been mostly left very happy by the arrival of Ian Poveda.
Sunderland beat a number of Championship clubs to the signing after Poveda was released by Leeds United at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old is a name that has been thrown around ever since he spent his academy days with some of the biggest clubs in the world in Man City, Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Poveda was always tipped for big things and was expected to make a big impact at Elland Road, but that form never came.
The winger managed 14 appearances in the Premier League in his first season, but failed to score a single goal for Leeds and was eventually sent out on loan to Blackburn, Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday.
Sunderland fans shouldn’t judge a book by its cover
Poveda racked up four goals in 46 matches whilst out on loan – a figure that could have put off a number of Sunderland supporters.
The ‘magic’ attacker has never managed a consistent run in any team, has very few goals and assists to his name and is approaching his 25th birthday next season – far from the age where you can live off your potential.
But if you asked any Wednesday fan about Poveda, they would say only good things about him. Similarly, Tony Mowbray had heaped praise on his former player as he tried to sign him at Birmingham City.
Poveda’s stats don’t mean he will fail at Sunderland and supporters only have to look to their star player for prove of that.
Ian Poveda can follow in Jack Clarke’s footsteps
When Jack Clarke moved to the Stadium of Light, he had only scored two goals in 53 matches.
The winger had looked bright at Leeds United before earning himself a move to Tottenham, but his loan spells hadn’t been too prolific and even his first year at Sunderland was particularly underwhelming.
Clarke soon turned into one of the best players in the Championship though and now looks likely to earn the Black Cats up to £25 million if he moves to the Premier League.
Kristjaan Speakman has an eye for talent and has managed to transform a number of players into real stars – and there is no reason why Poveda can’t be the next one.
He is no longer a promising young footballer anymore, but 24 is certainly not old and Sunderland may have done an exceptional bit of business if he can hit the ground running and finally reach that potential that he was known for.