Four reasons Salis Abdul Samed will hit the ground running at Sunderland

Sunderland nabbed the signing of the highly-rated Salis Abdul Samed in the summer, but Black Cats fans are still yet to see the midfielder play for the club.

With Regis Le Bris arriving at the club over the summer, it was always likely he would make some changes at Sunderland.

While the signing of Salis Abdul Samed came with plenty of hype, injuries have kept the Ghanaian midfielder out of the side all season.

It had even been suggested that Samed might end up leaving in January without ever playing a game for the Black Cats, but that would be a real shame given what we just learned about the 24-year-old.

Ligue 1 experience can help Salis Abdul Samed thrive in the Championship

According to French football expert, Jeremy Smith, in a recent piece for Founded1879, Samed could actually be a perfect fit for the Sunderland squad, and the player himself could end up thriving in Championship football.

Smith picked out four key factors that can help Samed adjust, stating: “The Championship is arguably not that far off Ligue 1 in terms of quality. It is also a similar type of football – physical but with very talented, skilful young, attacking players.

“As for Sunderland, the obvious French links [with Regis Le Bris] will help him to feel quickly at home, as will playing for a passionate crowd from the industrial north of the country where football is almost religion – something that he also experienced at Lens.”

Sunderland fans are keen to see their new signing for the first time

Naturally, there is a mixture of frustration and anticipation among the Sunderland faithful when it comes to their absent star.

They may have to remain patient a little while longer before Samed gets his chance in the first-team, but with his recovery from injury almost over, it is tantalising to think that the combative midfielder could be tearing it up in the Championship in the near future.

Hopefully, Sunderland’s plans for the January transfer window do not include sending Samed back to Lens, and he is given a chance to show what he can do at the Stadium of Light.

Based on his figures for Lens last season, it would seem Sunderland are at the very least going to have someone who likes to get the ball moving through the lines, and who is able to really influence a game from his deep midfield role.

For a young squad like Sunderland, having someone who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and dictate the flow of play could be incredibly useful.