Sunderland paid a modest sum for Sadiki in July, but his value has surged rapidly thanks to his assured Premier League performances. With an intelligent reading of play, tidy distribution and an exceptional work rate, he has become indispensable for a Black Cats side who have taken the top flight by surprise. United are determined to build a squad for the future with young generational talents at its core. They have recently signed 13-year-old defender Socrates from The Elite London Academy, another unpolished diamond unearthed by their scouting network.
Following the signing, The London Academy wrote: "From the moment he joined Elite London Academy, you could see he had something special: technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, brave in duels, and always hungry to learn. Along his journey, we organised trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He completed full trials at these clubs but these did not result in registration. Arguably, missed opportunities for the clubs.
"But what makes Socrates different is how he responded. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age. Instead, he pushed harder. Soon exciting opportunities have followed. Socrates was offered registration at a top Cat 1 club in the North in August after a successful trial."