Today marks four years since Aji Alese’s arrival from West Ham United, a man who you can almost be forgiven for forgetting is still at the club.
On January 11th 2025, Sunderland hosted Stoke City, the third meeting between the two sides in just over a month, in front of a half empty Stadium of Light in the third round of the FA Cup. This very forgettable game, in which Milan Aleksic scored in a 2-1 loss for those who may have forgot, was the last time Alese pulled on a Sunderland shirt at senior level. 550 days ago. He seemed to have recovered from injury and be prepared for a return to action in January, joining Portsmouth, in what seemed a perfect move for both parties. Sadly, he played only once at Fratton Park before picking up a hamstring injury that ended his season. In my time as a Sunderland supporter, albeit I am only in my 20s, I can’t think of an unluckier player than Alese.
When he first joined the club, it came out of the blue to the point that I remember just seeing the announcement with no links, which nowadays is incredibly rare. After a rather poor showing in the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday, he had to be patient for his first league start. It would come away at Reading in a 3-0 victory in September, probably best remembered for that team goal rounded off by Jack Clarke. Alese was solid starting at left back, he would follow that up with a goal away at Watford, a game I best remember for the late Jewison Bennette winner, which I think convinced the entire fanbase we had signed a proper wonderkid. Back to the point though, Alese proved he was more than capable at Championship level in his first season and,other than a couple of niggles, he was pretty reliable until a thigh injury around March 2023. This seemed to get the ball rolling in terms of the consistent long spells out of the side.
He would play just eight league games in the 2023/24 season, with a reoccurrence of that thigh issue and then an ankle injury. He was back fit at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and partnered with Luke O’Nien, starting the first three games of the season, getting a clean sheet in all of them as it seemed we had a settled pairing. However, his ankle forced him out of action again, returning in November only for his season to end in that game against Stoke.
Aji when fit has been a great player in Red and White, and honestly apart from his first game, I can’t really pick out a stand out poor performance. I do believe had it not been for the injuries Alese could very well still be a key part of the squad now but sadly they have ruined a promising career. I honestly don’t know where Aji is at in regards to his recovery but it is genuinely sad that at the age of 25 he has played just 40 league games for the Lads. He is a forgotten man and we have most likely seen the last of him on Wearside. However many would join me, I’m sure, in hoping Aji can find somewhere he can settle, kick on, and hopefully put his injury problems behind him. He is a great defender at Championship level but would anybody take the risk on him?
SIGNED OTD: KEVIN PHILLIPS
SIGNED OTD: KEVIN PHILLIPS
SIGNED OTD: KEVIN PHILLIPS
SIGNED OTD: KEVIN PHILLIPS
OTD: AJI ALESE SIGNED
OTD: AJI ALESE SIGNED