Mayenda celebrates with the fans after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday.Mayenda celebrates with the fans after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday.
Mayenda celebrates with the fans after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday. | Getty Images
There’s plenty of transfer talk around Jobe Bellingham, but perhaps Premier League clubs should be looking at his in-form teammate.
Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all been credited with transfer interest in Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham ahead of the upcoming window. I was at the Stadium of Light to watch the Black Cats against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, and perhaps that trio of London clubs should be focusing their interest on one of the midfielder’s teammates instead.
Bellingham had already turned heads as the younger brother of England international and Real Madrid mega star Jude but transfer rumours have accelerated over the last 12 months thanks to breakthrough performances in the North East. The 19-year-old bagged seven league goals last season and has four already this term, offering much more than his goal threat too.
Fichajes carried reports of Gunners’ interest in Bellingham early last month, naming Manchester United as potential suitors too. Meanwhile, talkSPORT had named Crystal Palace and West Ham as two others eyeing the player during the January window, with a £20 million fee touted.
Jobe Bellingham ready for Premier League step up
Nothing came of those reports in January, but there’s a feeling that transfer talk surrounding the Sunderland man is just at its early stages ahead of upcoming windows. The midfielder is contracted at the Stadium of Light until 2028 but it’s clear he is ready for the Premier League.
That was the case against Cardiff City as Bellingham turned in a performance that was purring at times in a fairly tame encounter. After just minutes, the star showcased an audacious flick on the edge of the box to set up a one-two with a teammate and his positional awareness - both of himself and his colleagues - was nothing short of breathtaking at times.
Bellingham will be a coup for any Premier League club but, as I watched Sunderland, I couldn’t help but think that another man on the pitch would be a better option for Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace. That’s Eliezer Mayenda.
Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace should be watching Black Cats striker
The 19-year-old went into the fixture against the Bluebirds off the back of a brace in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the end of February. He has six goals and five assists already this season, despite only starting 17 Championship fixtures.
It took Mayenda just two minutes to find the back of the net again against Cardiff City. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, the forward flicked it past both centre-backs and fired off the kind of shot that was just always going to hit the back of the net. It was clinical.
For West Ham, signing a striker is a must this summer. A big £27 million was splashed out on Niclas Fullkrug last summer but his injuries have made that a flop. Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson is only a temporary acquisition from Brighton and Michail Antonio is no longer his most prolific, even before his season-ending car crash.
Mayenda would surely do a job for the Hammers. Trusting a teenager to lead the line in the Premier League is a big ask but this is a striker with plenty of character. Crystal Palace should keep an eye on him too.
The Eagles have a knack of helping Championship stars transition to the Premier League - see Michael Olise, Romain Esse, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. There’s no doubting that Jean-Phillipe Mateta is the main man at Selhurst Park but, with talk of a transfer exit for him this summer, Mayenda seems the perfect fit for the Crystal Palace transfer strategy.
Mayenda looks his age at 19 years old. A nippy player with a frightening turn of pace, the way he latched onto a Bellingham through ball just before half time was electric, just failing to score as the angle closed quickly. Yet, despite his build, he’s got a physicality to him too. Confident when holding up the ball, he also had enough about him to dispossess a Cardiff City man on the halfway line and lead a break away.
Even when not in the game, the Spanish under-17 star is a menace. Patrolling the Bluebirds’ back four, even the slightest of slips would give him chance to turn over possession - as the visitors learnt the hard way early in the second half when the eager striker latched onto a loose ball, just lacking the final pass to tee up a teammate. With just minutes left on the clock as Sunderland closing out a 2-1 lead, he was at it again and full of running after a quieter spell.
Arsenal are in need of a striker too. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have highlighted that but Mikel Arteta was lacking a prolific bagsman even before that. It’s far too early to suggest Mayenda is that man but, with Spanish outlet Hoy Aragon reporting Premier League interest in the player, Arsenal should also look to invest now.
Mayenda loving life at Sunderland
Despite budding transfer talk, Mayenda has remained staunch in his love for Sunderland, having arrived from Sochaux in 2023. Speaking after his brace against Sheffield Wednesday, when he celebrated with fans, he told the Sunderland Echo: “Just for the supporters [the celebration]. The first game I did that was against Derby County. I don't know how I can explain. It's just natural. It's just natural. I like the connection with the supporters.
“The supporters of Sunderland are, for me, the best in the Championship. It's a little bit funny, but just to make the connection with the supporters is very important for me. To feel the love of the supporters. The supporters show me the love in every game, every day.
“I'm very happy to play for Sunderland. Because I'm a very cold guy, sometimes some people can say that. For me, I can show my emotions like that to celebrate the connection with the fans. It's amazing. I feel good. It's just a good connection. Just to show my love to Sunderland.”
Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace also have the words of Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris to believe in when it comes to the player’s quality. Speaking after the Cardiff City win, the Black Cats boss said: “He seems strong and confident. Dominant. It's good because we need that on the pitch to dominate this last part of the season. If he can inspire others it will be good. Today was really impressive throughout the game.
“It's difficult to say [where he has improved most]. In many areas. He got minutes and is talented. He wants to work hard and improve on previous experiences. He's connected out of position, good with his back to the ball. When he can turn and dribble and push the ball he's really good. The last part of the pitch, he can probably improve but it wasn't too bad.”
Doubling down after Cardiff City and hinting that Mayenda’s journey at Sunderland is only the beginning. Le Bris added: “Here at Sunderland, we can't buy players available at that level so we have to build players.”
In other news, former West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a sensational return to Premier League management.
Related topics:ArsenalSunderlandCrystal PalaceWest HamPremier LeagueTransfer rumours
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