By Ameenu Shardow
Like it or not, Asamoah Gyan is gone and is never coming back to Sunderland.
This goes for the people who just can’t come to grips with the fact that Ghana’s no.1 striker has decided to ditch the fame and glamour of the English league to the rich but emerging league of the UAE.
Let’s not get hypocritical here especially for those who still insist the decision taken by the 25-year-old is very poor to say the least.
Football just like any sporting discipline comes with its own set of risks therefore the need to make enough while on top to cater for not only yourself as in the case of Gyan but also for the long lineup of relatives and friends who have expectations of him.
“I didn’t make the decision alone; I made it with my family. When the offer was made I spoke to my family about it and the decision was that I should move,†Gyan said at his unveiling ceremony – further buttressing my point.
Now to the main thrust of my piece; I don’t think any footballer under this planet would avoid blinking when made an offer of the magnitude being reported was made to the ex Stade Renne hitman.
How much more then to player, who as it has emerged is one of the least paid in the world despite his global status.
The hardcore truth is that Sunderland can and will never offer such colossal amount of money to a player no matter his status as a big-part member of the squad.
Therefore, by the time Gyan’s loan deal expires somewhere next year, the Black Cats should have completed negotiations with Al Ain or whichever gulf club capable of meeting the huge financial demands for the deal to be turned permanent.
I don’t envisage the player even wanting to return no matter how red-hot his form will be at the time to a place where his wages which he would be accustomed to by then will be slashed over a 100%.
The taste and lifestyle would have appreciated tremendously and it comes with bills which need to be settled and that unfortunately, the Black Cats cannot provide.
There is also the small issue of whether the Sunderland fraternity, especially the fans and coach (i.e if Steve Bruce is still the man at the helm) will be willing to take the ‘Baby Jet’ back considering the widely negative reactions to his shock move.
There is definitely love lost between the two parties and I would be surprised if the club is not already lining up a suitable replacement come the January transfer window.
Simply put, the Baby Jet has flown away and is not coming back just because in truth, really, you (Sunderland) can’t afford him.