Sadiq returns to San Sebastián, Valencia numbers triple his Real Sociedad output | OneFootball

Umar Sadiq heads back to San Sebastián on Sunday with Valencia, his strike rate for the club far outstripping what he managed at Real Sociedad.

According to Superdeporte, it will be his first appearance at his former home since he pushed hard to leave last summer, then secured a winter exit, with Valencia meeting Jokin Aperribay’s terms.

A warm reception is not expected. His spell in Donosti became a disappointment after arriving as the club’s record buy to succeed Aleksander Isak. An explosive start with fine goals gave way to a serious knee injury that turned the experience into an ordeal.

After that setback he was never the same for La Real, with wayward finishing and an awkward style drawing ridicule. The club sought an exit and eventually found it at Valencia after a long saga, as Sadiq refused to play for any other team, even sitting out the first half of the campaign.

In Valencia he has not fully rediscovered the peak that once marked him out as a leading prospect, but he has regained his smile. Across two spells, first on loan then permanent, he has scored key goals in the fight for survival. This season’s safety is not yet sealed, yet without his strike at San Mamés Mestalla would be facing a major problem.

The numbers underline the contrast. For Real Sociedad he scored five in 57 games, 0.08 per match, less than one in 10. For Valencia he has 12 in 39, 0.31 per game, under one in four, a return roughly three times better.

Source: Superdeporte