Salis Abdul Samed has come into the Sunderland XI in recent weeks, after spending the first half of the season on the sidelines.
Sunderland signed Salis Abdul Samed on loan from RC Lens during the summer. But fans would have to wait six months to see him in action with the midfielder having been sidelined for the first half of the season.
He made his debut in the FA Cup defeat against Stoke City in January and has since played four times in the Championship, with two starts to his name including one against Watford last time out.
Sunderland drew 2-2 with Watford in their last outing. Samed started in the midfield on what was a hugely disappointing afternoon for the Black Cats, who’ve drawn three of their last five in the Championship.
The 24-year-old Samed is yet to finish a game for Sunderland, having barely played more than an hour in any given game for the Black Cats.
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Marco Gabbiadini says Salis Abdul Samed is not up to speed just yet
Sunderland fans are torn over Samed right now, it seems. Sometimes he looks like a steady player in the midfield, albeit not someone like Dan Neil who makes things happen with his range of passing.
With Jobe Bellingham expected to return against Luton Town on Wednesday night, it could see Samed dropped back to the bench. But speaking on Total Sport, Marco Gabbiadini doesn’t think Samed is up to speed anyway.
Giving an honest assessment of the Ghanaian international, Gabbiadini explained: “Salis is coming in and I think he’s not up to the pace yet. He doesn’t look as comfortable as Dan Neil. He doesn’t look as expressive, as forward-thinking as Dan Neil.”
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Regis Le Bris defends Salis Abdul Samed after tricky start for Sunderland
Samed’s form hasn’t exactly been terrible; against Plymouth Argyle, Samed was one of Sunderland’s better players. But he slows the game down, and there’s certainly better options in midfield right now.
Speaking after the Watford game, Regis Le Bris defended Samed’s form following his lengthy spell on the sidelines, also defending the form of Ian Poveda who’s had some injury issues this season too.
Le Bris said: “It’s always a question of building different steps. It’s not easy for Salis to find his best rhythm after six months out. He and Ian will need time. It’s a question of building new layers, and to be consistent will take patience.”
There’s no doubt that Samed is a player with some pedigree. But how long it’ll take him to get up to speed remains to be seen. He needs gametime to do so but this stage of the season is so crucial and Le Bris can’t risk playing players who aren’t yet at the level required.
The Black Cats return to action against Luton Town on Wednesday night.