Eliezer Mayenda and Sunderland’s long game in the Premier League
Sunderland’s financial health has rightly grabbed the headlines, but tucked within the detail of i Paper’s report is a quieter, more revealing subplot, the future of Eliezer Mayenda. In a January window defined by restraint, Sunderland’s handling of Mayenda offers a sharper insight into how this club now thinks, plans and protects its assets.
The article notes that “reports that Eliezer Mayenda could be allowed to move to Paris FC have been played down to The i Paper.” That single line carries weight. It suggests a club unwilling to let short term market noise dictate decisions on a young attacker who still represents both sporting and financial upside.
This is a Sunderland that “look set to stick rather than twist,” even with what football finance experts believe is “as much as £120m in terms of PSR headroom.” In that context, Mayenda becomes emblematic of a strategy built on patience rather than impulse.
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Mayenda’s role in a carefully managed squad
For Mayenda, the timing matters. With Dan Neil heading to Ipswich Town on loan and only limited January movement expected, opportunities may open organically rather than through expensive recruitment. The piece explains that Sunderland’s only outlay so far has been the £3m spent on Jocelin Ta Bi, described as “one for the future.”
That phrase could just as easily apply to Mayenda. While Paris FC interest has been played down, the fact it exists underlines his growing profile. Sunderland are under no pressure to cash in. With their PSR position described as “excellent,” they can afford to develop rather than sell at the first sign of external demand.
Financial freedom without financial recklessness
The article is clear that Sunderland’s squad cost “is not in the top 20 in England” and remains well below many Premier League rivals. That discipline allows room for manoeuvre, but it also reinforces why players like Mayenda are so valuable. They are low cost assets with potential to grow into meaningful contributors or future profit.
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From a Sunderland supporter’s perspective, the Mayenda angle is quietly fascinating. Fans have seen this club burn through promise before, selling early or reshuffling squads too often. The fact that reports of a Paris FC move have been “played down” feels like a small but meaningful shift.
There is a sense that Mayenda is being treated as part of the project, not just a tradeable chip. With £120m of PSR headroom being talked about, it would be easy to assume Sunderland might flip young players to chase bigger names. Instead, this approach suggests trust in what is already in the building.
Supporters will know that development is rarely linear. Mayenda may not be starting every week, but patience could pay off. If he clicks in the Premier League, even in bursts, his value to the squad could outweigh any short term loan or sale fee.
