Kevin Danso’s Sunderland Start Makes Mockery Of Tottenham Exit Call By Roberto De Zerbi

Sunderland’s £30.8m signing of Malick Fofana on deadline day stole the headlines following the transfer saga entangling Crystal Palace, meaning that the Kevin Danso deal has gone somewhat under the radar. 

However, what has not gone unnoticed is the outstanding start that the central defender has made at Sunderland in his first few outings since joining from Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal. 

Danso has made just three appearances for Regis Le Bris’ side so far, but is well on his way to becoming a Stadium of Light cult hero for his mammoth performances at the heart of Sunderland’s defence, and his endearing personality with the Black Cats faithful off the pitch. 

So far in his short yet sweet Sunderland career, the Stadium of Light recruitment team and Danso himself have made a mockery of Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi’s shortsighted decision to deem the defender surplus to requirements in his new reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

On the field, Danso has been a perfectly Sunderland-coded signing, which is why the Wearside faithful has taken to the defender so quickly. 

In Danso, the Black Cats have signed a centre-back, similar to fellow fan-favourite defender Dan Ballard, who epitomises the traits pivotal to being a Sunderland standout. 

So far in his three outings, against Brentford and Arsenal in the Premier League and against AZ Alkmaar in the 1-0 Europa League win, Danso has shown tremendous bravery and dominance in defence. 

Against Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening, Danso made the joint-most defensive contributions (11) of any player on the field and almost scored a stunning long-range strike, with his performance at the back pivotal to Sunderland maintaining a clean sheet and securing a precious three points in their European bow.

Danso is a defender who will put his body on the line for victory when the going gets tough for Sunderland as it did at times against the technically brilliant AZ, but also has the experience, quality and composure to match. 

Not only has Danso been exceptional defensively, the defender has also been assured in possession with quality forward passing, which is peculiar considering Spurs boss De Zerbi deemed him not capable enough with the ball at his feet to warrant a place in his squad. 

Overall, Danso is a defensive signing who exemplifies the DNA of a Sunderland player, and it is no surprise that the Austrian has become a new fan favourite among the Black Cats faithful.

Following Enzo Le Fee’s equaliser at Brentford, Danso screamed in elation toward the travelling Wearside contingent, and when he was substituted in the latter stages against Alkmaar on Wednesday, he high-fived fans in the bottom row of the Stadium of Light stands as he soaked up the adulation whilst walking round the advertising boards to the bench in an unseen yet poignant moment. 

Moreover, the Stadium of Light team team led by Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi, who worked with the defender previously at Ligue 1 RC Lens, deserve great credit for spotting his unappreciated potential with a Moneyball-style signing that showcases some stellar opportunistic recruitment. 

The adage in football says ‘never fall in love with a loan player’, but the Sunderland faithful can allow themselves to fall into that infamous trap, given Danso will become a permanent Sunderland player for £22.5m next summer if the Black Cats stay in the Premier League, which seems an almost certainty. 

All of this begs the question; why did De Zerbi want rid of the Austrian international?

Only the struggling Spurs boss can answer that, with his side suffering with a minus-five goal difference in Danso’s absence whilst the Black Cats maintain a much stronger defence in no small part thanks to the Austrian international’s presence. 

Regardless, Tottenham’s loss. And thankfully, Sunderland’s gain.