Even though Sadiq Umar had maybe his worst season as a professional football player, Imanol Alguacil, the coach of Read Sociedad, had nothing but respect for the Nigerian international.
The Super Eagles striker has had a challenging two years since paying €20 million to join the Basque team in the summer of 2022. He previously played for Almeria.
Umar had a great start to the 2022–2023 season, tallying three goals in five games, including his Txuri–Urdinak debut goal against Atletico Madrid, before sustaining an injury that kept him out of the game for eleven months.
Since his return from the ACL injury, Umar has been a shadow of himself.
After making his return in the 2023/24 season against Girona, Umar played 11 straight games in the league without scoring a game before netting a stunner in Real Sociedad’s 2-1 over Sevilla on match-day 12
Despite the show of brilliance, the Nigerian has not been able to make his way into Alguacil’s starting XI, playing a total of 1,070 minutes from a possible 3,330 minutes and starting just 12 of the club’s 37 LaLiga games.
Speaking after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, per Futbol Fantasy, Alguacil reflected on Sadiq’s contributions.
“There has not been any bad gesture, he has always wanted to contribute and when he has not done it, it has been a technical-tactical decision. He has respected it; he has continued training until the end, being one more. That’s why I say, I can’t ask for more from these types of players.
“He gives his all, this is football and it’s about performing, getting it right. But hey, the main thing and the basic thing, for me, is to give it your all, give it your all and be respectful. In Sadiq’s case, I can’t say anything bad about him.”
