“Was special”- Sunderland star Eliezer Mayenda reveals reason why he joined Sunderland in 2023 despite internet from Paris Saint-Germain
Sunderland forward Eliezer Mayenda has enjoyed an impressive breakout campaign this season and has now revealed why he joined the Black Cats back in 2023.
Sunderland’s 2024/25 Championship season will be defined over the next two weeks, with a place in the Premier League promised land on offer.
The Black Cats travel to Coventry City on Friday evening before the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light next week, with the Wembley finale on offer looking likely to be against Sheffield United after the Blades’ 3-0 win over Bristol City in the opposite first leg.
Head coach Regis Le Bris has guided many Sunderland youngsters this season to second tier stardom, namely with Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg scooping EFL awards, as he masterminded the club’s fourth-place finish with five games to spare.
One Sunderland starlet who has also enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under the Frenchman is centre-forward Eliezer Mayenda, and the Spaniard has revealed the reasons behind his Black Cats switch back in 2023.
Eliezer Mayenda reveals why he joined ‘special’ Sunderland
Mayenda joined Sunderland from French outfit FC Sochaux in the summer of 2023, with Tony Mowbray then at the Sunderland helm, penning a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The Spaniard struggled to make an impact in his debut Sunderland season, and also during a four-game loan stint at Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, and failed to register any goal contributions in 12 outings last season.
Since Le Bris arrived at Sunderland last summer, Mayenda has enjoyed a remarkable rise from potential flop to Championship goalscorer, notching eight goals and five assists in just 22 league starts this term.
Ahead of the Coventry City play-off clashes, the 19-year-old forward has revealed why he joined Sunderland, despite interest from serial French top flight champions Paris Saint Germain.
Mayenda told The Athletic recently: “My intention was to stay in Sochaux.
“I’d played one season and I wanted to play a second season there. It was complicated. The club president told me: ‘Eli, we don’t have a choice, you have to go if we receive a good offer’.
“Sochaux were waiting for some clubs like Lyon, Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain, then I remember the Sunderland president Kyril (Louis-Dreyfus), he called.
“When I saw the name Sunderland, I said to my dad that I didn’t want to go to the French First Division, I want to go to Sunderland.
“It was just my feeling, I can’t tell you why exactly, it was just a natural connection. Sunderland was special. I knew it was historic in England, it had been in the Premier League and everyone has seen the documentary on Netflix. When Kyril called Sochaux, my dad agreed with me.”
Mayenda’s spectacular progression at Sunderland was evidenced by his stunning solo goal at Bristol City, in which the youngster carried the ball 70 yards before beating five Robins defenders to slot past Max O’Leary.
Despite Bellingham and Rigg enjoying star-studded campaigns themselves, it is Mayenda who has been Sunderland’s standout young talent this season.
Why Sunderland captain believes Eliezer Mayenda is a ‘perfect example’
Mayenda’s breathtaking goal against Bristol City was something captain Luke O’Nien had “never seen” before.
After the Robins defeat, O’Nien revealed why Mayenda is a “perfect example” for other youngsters in the Sunderland ranks.
O’Nien said: “I’ve really enjoyed seeing him develop. Since the day he joined,
“He didn’t have the easiest of starts, but he’s a perfect example of what it takes for any young player to succeed. He’s reaping the rewards of his hard work, and it’s great to see.”
Mayenda has won the supporters’ hearts this season, giving 110 percent in every appearance, despite often being limited to substitute appearances by Le Bris.
Either from the start or off the bench, the Spaniard will have a pivotal part to play in the Black Cats’ play-off campaign.
