Sunderland’s striker crisis at the tail-end of last season look to put their top flight status under threat – ultimately however, it helped unearth a gem. Steve Bruce shifted Stephane Sessegnon from a peripheral role in the Black Cat’s squad to a central figure as a makeshift forward; the Benin international responded with 3 goals in the final 5 games to kill-off the relegation talk.
Fantasy Managers pushing for the final furlong were quickly alerted to Sessegnon’s merits as an “out-of-position” signing. Classified as a midfielder in the low-to-mid price bracket, he represented strong value for those willing to take a gamble on an inconsistent and often misfiring Sunderland side.
This season things could be different. Bruce has manoeuvred effectively in the transfer market to bring in established Premier League talent in defence and midfield – his attacking players should be in line to benefit.
Sessegnon is very much part of the masterplan. Bruce has made it clear that his form at the end of the season demonstrated the player’s ability as a striker, or at least in the role playing off a central striker.
“Sess has come back and he’s in good shape which gives us hope…We’ll look to keep him there [up front] because I always think that’s his best position. It suits Sess and it suits the team and I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen of him.”
It’s clear that Sessegnon will start the season in a striker’s role and 3 goals in pre-season has already offered a timely reminder of his talent. Classed as a Fantasy midfielder, the appeal is obvious and, despite a tough opening day encounter at Anfield, Sessegnon looks set to find himself in many initial Fantasy squads.
Key Factors
- Sessegnon is classed as a mid-price midfielder across the Fantasy games (6.5 in the Fantasy Premier League) and yet proved extremely effective when playing in the striker role last season. Although a desperate measure on the part of Steve Bruce, he would have been impressed at the player’s ability to lead the attack and prove a menace to opposing defences. Three goals in five games also helped demonstrate his effectiveness as an out and out striker. Bruce has already stated that he will look to keep him in this position and Seessegnon has justified that faith in pre-season already with another run of goals.
- New signings Ji Dong-Won and Conor Wickham may offer Asamoah Gyan competition up front but, while Gyan is a proven Premier League talent, the latter are young flourishing prospects, unproven at the top level. Sessegnon is being earmarked for the role playing off the striker in a slighter deeper, “in the hole” role. Should Bruce look to blood Wickham or Dong-Won, it would seem more likely that it will Gyan’s pitch time which takes the hit.
- Sunderland’s opening spell of the season offers hope of early attacking returns. Home encounters with Newcastle, Stoke and West Brom should bring profit, whilst away trips to Swansea and Norwich also carry potential. All those games arrive in the opening seven Gameweeks.
- Although Jordan Henderson has left the club, Bruce has arguably invested well in midfield areas. The arrival of David Vaughan should add stability and the odd spark, whilst Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson have the ability to contribute attacking verve and, in Larsson’s case, excellent delivery. Sunderland should produce more chances this season and Sessegnon may benefit.
- Sessegnon could well depart for the African Cup of Nations in January, Benin seem unlikely to make progress through to the latter stages. They may well be eliminated at the group stage which would presumably see Sessegnon miss just a handful of Premier League outings.
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