Despite experiencing what was arguably Sadiq Umar’s worst season as a professional footballer, Read Sociedad coach, Imanol Alguacil, was full of praise for the Nigeria international.

It’s been a difficult two-year spell for the Super Eagles striker since joining the Basque outfit from Almeria during the 2022 summer for €20m.

Umar started the 2022/23 season in fine form, scoring three goals in five matches with a debut goal for the Txuri-Urdinak against Atletico Madrid, before suffering an injury that ruled him out of action for 11 months.

Since his return from the ACL injury, Umar has been a shadow of himself.

After making his return in the 2023/24 season against Girona, Umar played 11 straight games in the league without scoring a game before netting a stunner in Real Sociedad’s 2-1 over Sevilla on match-day 12.

Despite the show of brilliance, the Nigerian has not been able to make his way into Alguacil’s starting XI, playing a total of 1,070 minutes from a possible 3,330 minutes and starting just 12 of the club’s 37 LaLiga games.

Speaking after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, per Futbol Fantasy, Alguacil reflected on Sadiq’s contributions.

“There has not been any bad gesture, he has always wanted to contribute and when he has not done it, it has been a technical-tactical decision. He has respected it; he has continued training until the end, being one more. That’s why I say, I can’t ask for more from these types of players.

“He gives his all, this is football and it’s about performing, getting it right. But hey, the main thing and the basic thing, for me, is to give it your all, give it your all and be respectful. In Sadiq’s case, I can’t say anything bad about him.”

Credit: punchng.com

Real Sociedad boss backs Sadiq Umar to pick form

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