Sessegnon To Add To Striking Problems ?

Goal shy Sunderland striker Stephane Sessegnon may leave the Stadium Of Light in the January transfer window if recent reports in the Sunday People are to be believed. Whilst such a leap of faith would not normally be considered sensible the constant changing of strikers at Sunderland over the last 12 months does suggest that the story may have more credence than would normally be given to such a “rag”.

Sessegnon has been regularly infuriating but occasionally brilliant in his career at Sunderland to-date and has eventually won over the backing of the vast majority of Sunderland fans with his energy and willingness to fight for possession of the ball. Despite only scoring five goals in twenty five appearances for Steve Bruce’s side the 27 year old Benin international would be sorely missed at a club that has managed to lose current England strikers Danny Welbeck and Darren Bent as well Kenwyne Jones and Asamoah Gyan in the last 15 months.


Sunderland manager Steve Bruce paid £6 million for Sessegnon earlier this year and originally played the former Paris St Germain star on the wing where he often looked out of touch but this season Sess’ has looked far more comfortable when playing up front or just behind a lone striker.

Earlier this year Bruce was forced into playing full back Kieran Richardson up front when the Black Cats had no other fit forwards and Sessegnon has played many games as a the only striker.

The Sunday People reported last week that Sessegnon’s five kids had remained in France and his wife was now spending more and more time in France as she struggles to settle on wearside. The “rag” goes on to suggest that Marseille may launch a bid in January . No source given for the story in the People or the Marseille link but the possibility of losing more strikers must be a concern for all Sunderland fans.

Sessegnon also suffered a poor goals return in Ligue 1 with Le Mans , six goals in sixty one appearances and with Paris St Germain , eight goals in seventy seven appearances and in this respect his goal tally for the Black Cats looks an improvement on previous form and of course the Premier League is a much higher level. Given this and his solid all round performances this term there would certainly be plenty of clubs interested in acquiring Sessegnon if Steve Bruce were to consider releasing him.

Apparently Ipswich Town rebel striker Caolan Lavery is currently on trial at the Stadium Of Light but the youngster is surely not the answer to SAFC's striking problems . Another hugely unlikely rumour is that Steve Bruce is interested in bringing ex-Liverpool winger Albert Riera to the club . If as suggested Riera is earning £115 000 a week at Galatasaray there is more chance of us re-signing Darren Bent !