Umar Sadiq: Real Sociedad Coach Rates 2023/24 Season of Nigerian Star

• Umar Sadiq had an underwhelming 2023/24 season at Real Sociedad
• The Nigerian striker scored three goals in 26 La Liga matches last season
• Sociedad coach, Imanol Alguacil, is confident he will recapture his form

Umar Sadiq had a difficult 2023/24 season at Real Sociedad.

The Nigerian scored just three goals for the Spanish club, a drastic decline compared to the 2021/22 season.

Sociedad coach, Imanol Alguacil, has assessed Umar's 2023/24 season after it concluded this past weekend.

Sadiq has struggled to replicate the form he produced at Almeria in the Spanish second division, where he scored 38 goals in two seasons.

He moved to Sociedad in 2022 following a €20 million transfer from Almeria. Five games into the 2022/23 season, an ACL injury sidelined him for months.

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He returned last summer but has struggled to perform at the club. In 31 La Liga matches, he has scored six times.

In 2023/24, he played 26 La Liga matches and found the net three times. The Super Eagles star started 12 games and did not play a single minute of the club's last six matches, per Transfermarkt.

His form saw him fall in the pecking order. Alguacil preferred Mikel Oyarzabal and Sheraldo Becker up front.

Alguacil evaluates Umar's season

Despite not playing regularly, Alguacil was impressed with the 27-year-old's professionalism.

“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," via Afrik-Foot.

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The 52-year-old is pleased with Sadiq's performances even when the goals are not coming.

“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.”

Finidi George snubbed Sadiq from the latest Nigeria squad. He will use the summer to prepare for the 2024/24 season.

Umar scores screamer

Sports Brief earlier reported on Sadiq scoring a sensational goal in Sociedad's clash with Sevilla in November.

In the 22nd minute, the Super Eagles striker received the ball in the middle of the pitch and quickly went past two Sevilla players before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from outside the 18-yard box.