Sunderland made ten summer signings during the transfer window but Marco Gabbiadini is particularly looking forward to seeing one player in particular.
Step up, Adnan Januzaj.
The Belgium international burst onto the scene into 2013 at Sunderland’s expense as a match-winning double secured three points for David Moyes’ Manchester United.
Now reunited with his former mentor on Wearside, Januzaj has already shown glimpses of his formidable talent netting a stunning winner in the EFL Cup while impressing against the likes of Southampton and Everton.
So far, Gabbiadini has been impressed, and the former Black Cats explained that while his confidence and swagger will occasionally frustrate, it will more often than not result in magic.
“We all remember those two goals Januzaj scored at the Stadium of Light.
“He’s an incredibility exciting player and we’ve already seen glimpses of what he can do particularly against Southampton, but he’s still a young player so sometimes he will make you want to throw your pie on the floor.
“More often than not, though, he will have you on the edge of your seat and jumping in the air."
He continued: “Like Duncan Watmore, he risks the ball at times and is very direct but it’s that directness which makes him such a threat.
“I used to fall out with my own team-mates because I would give the ball away when I could have passed it, but the next time it ended up in the back of the net and I was everyone’s best mate again.
“You have to build a team which allows players like Januzaj to take their chances and if we can get him playing well, alongside the ace that is Jermain Defoe, I think it will be an exciting year."
