What Dajaku can offer Cats and how he can fit into Johnson's side
Sunderland’slateswooptosign German pair Leon Dajaku and Thorben Hoffman has certainly excited supporters on Wearside – yet there remains a degree of uncertainty surrounding the new signings.
That is usually the case when clubs venture into the foreign market, which always poses the initial question: Can they adapt to English football?
The positive thing for Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is that he does have options in both the goalkeeping department, where 22-year-old Hoffman will hope to become the club’s number one option, and on the flanks, where Dajaku likes to ply his trade.
Still, the duo arrive with plenty of promise having progressed through the academy at Bayern Munich, and are viewed as potential long-term assets due to Sunderland’s ‘option to buy’ clauses.
The arrival of Dajaku, who favours a role on the wing, may have raised some eyebrows as the Black Cats allowed academy graduate Jack Diamond to sign for Harrogate Town on loan.
SunderlandalsohaveAiden McGeady and Lynden Gooch astheirfirst-choiceoptionson theflanks–sowhatwillDajaku bring to the side?
Looking at the German’s numbers, his playing style appears clear.
Before a loan move to Union Berlin, where he featured just twice due to an injury, Dajakuaveraged9.55dribblesper
game playing for Bayern Munich II - in the third tier of German football - last season.
While there are obviously differences between the leagues,thatismorethanwhat McGeady (4.24) and Gooch (8.39)haveregisteredinLeague One this term.
It should be noted that only 46.7 of the dribbles Dajaku attempted in that spell were successful, while McGeady
(57.9 per cent)and Gooch (71.1 per cent) have better success rates in the 2021/22 league campaign.
Clearly Dajaku is raw, but lookingattheclipsofhiminactionhe’saplayerwhocanmake quick transitions into the final third.
The winger charges past an opponent before cutting inside to deliver a cross on his preferred right foot.
While Dajaku can also play on the right or as a number 10, his favoured position is on the left, yet he’s not just a winger who will cut inside.
In fact, the German often opts to run towards the byline and cross with his left foot.
On average, Dajaku attempted 4.38 crosses (42.9 per cent success rate) per match for Bayern Munich II last season, which is similar to McGeady’s 4.24 (26.3 per cent success rate) in League One this campaign.
Yet as shown by figure four during Sunderland’s win over Wycombe, McGeady appears more likely to cut inside onto his right foot before delivering a cross.
Dajaku’s arrival will therefore give Sunderland a different string to their bow, yet his new team-mates may also have to adapt.
When the German does burst down the outside, his deliveries into the box are often low and flat after he’s arrived at a crossing position at speed, as shown by figure five during Bayern Munich II’s match against Unterhaching.
Clearly Dajaku is an exciting prospect, though, and hopefully he’s someone supporters will enjoy watching.