Sadiq, Valencia’s game-changer on and off the pitch | OneFootball

According to AS, few winter additions have reshaped a club quite like Umar Sadiq’s, lifting Valencia on and off the pitch. Although not new to Mestalla, the Nigerian spent five months on loan from Real Sociedad last season.

He debuted on 10 January, playing 25 minutes against Elche amid a climate of crisis, his cameo drawing the night’s loudest ovation from a disgruntled Mestalla.

He has since justified the affection he earned when he filled his native Nigeria with Valencia shirts bearing his name during a holiday. Beyond two Copa goals against Burgos and Athletic, his influence on Corberán’s plans has become obvious.

In the derby at Levante he came off the bench to seal a 0-2 win with a late strike. At La Cerámica, starting this time, he conjured a penalty from a lost cause to put Valencia ahead.

Against Osasuna he drew another penalty from Sergio Herrera, allowing Ramazani to score the game’s only goal, 1-0. Last Sunday against Alavés he produced a clever turn and laid on Javi Guerra’s goal.

Inside the camp, his positive energy has been noted. In that derby he marked his goal with the cobra celebration, a pointed reference to Arnaut Danjuma.

After the Alavés match his new nickname emerged, Pelé, revealed with a laugh by fellow striker Hugo Duro. Sadiq answered online with a Brazil number 10 shirt, and the club’s accounts riffed on the theme with O Rei Sadiq.

Source: AS