Sunderland: Simon Adingra, the inevitable departure

Lacking playing time in Brighton after the change of coach, Simon Adingra decided to stay in the Premier League and relaunch himself. The 24-year-old player signs at Sunderland. A signature that sounded like a new start for Adingra. Six months after his arrival, he is considered a real flop.

729 minutes played since the beginning of the season

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Last summer, Sunderland paid nearly 25 million euros to hire Adingra’s services. Promoted to the Premier League, the English club has considerably strengthened and the Ivorian was one of the flagship recruits. At the time of the first review, the Ivorian international is downgraded and clearly no longer part of Régis Le Bris’s plans.

Since the beginning of the 2025-2026 season, Simon Adingra has played only 729 minutes, or 15 games (14 in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup) for a goal and an assist. After 23 games in the Premier League, the 24-year-old player has only 9 starts, 5 openings, an absence due to injury and on the bench 8 times. He played the last two league games against Crystal Palace and West Ham United on the bench. The former member of Nordsjælland is clearly in the bad.

According to TuttoJuve’s information, Simon Adingra is followed by Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus this winter. As for the leaders of Sunderland, they are not against his departure and claim an amount between 30 and 40 million euros. Divided opinions on a departure

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With lack of playing time, Simon Adingra has only one solution: leave Sunderland to have playing time elsewhere. He can leave either this winter or next summer. The Ivorian international must make a wise choice regarding his next club; a formation that is adapted to his style of play and qualities. That’s what NCI reporter Alex Payne said. 

"Look at Jeremy Doku how he destabilizes the defenses. Adingra does not meet these conditions."

“Simon Adingra is a technically fine player but not explosive. He’s also not very involved in defensive efforts. While that’s what it takes in the Premier League to succeed. Over there, we no longer want simply talented players but complete athletes who put in effort match after match. It’s very intense. Look at Jérémy Doku how he destabilizes the defenses. Adingra does not meet these conditions. I think he should go to a less physically demanding championship like Belgium, France or Germany. I remember that he had a very good season with Union Saint-Gilloise, which earned him to be selected for the AFCON. Then I think it is preferable for Adingra to leave to progress better," 

he told Sport News Africa.

 Izoudine Ilupeju also has something to say. The Ivorian journalist wants to see Adingra in another championship that matches his qualities.

"For his sake, he must leave the English championship as soon as possible. He wasn’t able to find his bearings even though he has the level, but when it doesn’t go through, you have to look elsewhere. Notably De Zerbi wanted to bring him to Marseille but alas. He can see in the French, German, Belgian or Dutch championship to have the form and be brilliant",

 he said.

Chamade YAH, journalist at  Sport-Ivoire, thinks that Adingra should stay in Sunderland and try to reverse the situation. He wants stability for the player in view of the 2026 World Cup. 

« I think he must try to give himself even more to turn the situation in his favor. As we have seen, he has proven himself in Brighton. He can therefore work on his physique and resume his position as titular. Due to his salary, I do not see good numbers of clubs that could recover it either on loan or permanently. As usual, at each transfer period, we send him a bit everywhere but in the end nothing concrete. He must stay to work and prove the observers wrong that they believe he is not made for the Premier League. With the World Cup in sight, he knows what he has to do at the club,” 

he said.