In the past 24 hours, numerous reports have surfaced suggesting that Sunderland have bid £11million pounds for Roma striker Edin Dzeko. Originating from Gianluca di Marzio’s website, reports suggest that Sunderland have offered the striker £140,000 a week to make the switch to Wearside. Despite these reports, there has to be a level of scepticism as to whether Dzeko would be willing to move from a Roma side who came 3rd in the Serie A last year, to a Sunderland side who (again) miraculously avoided relegation. There are also, perhaps, question marks over whether Sunderland should sign Dzeko ahead of other rumoured striking options, namely Diafra Sakho.
The prospect of Dzeko arriving at the Stadium of Light should have any Sunderland fan salivating in excitement, it is rare for Sunderland to even be linked to such quality players never mind to bid for them. However, many fans have taken to social media to voice concerns about paying so much money for a 30-year-old striker. If reports are believed, Roma will be looking to recoup the £15million they paid for him last October, a great deal of money for an ageing player. Sakho is a younger alternative, at the age of 26 he could improve in the future whilst retaining a sell-on value if Sunderland were ever that way inclined. With both Dzeko and Sakho in the target-man mould, it is clear that Sam Allardyce is looking for someone to partner Jermain Defoe and as both Dzeko and Sakho seem to be available for a similar price, how do they compare statistically?
The first thing to say is that both men have Premier League experience- Dzeko played 130 games in English football for Manchester City between 2011-16, scoring 50 goals; meanwhile, Sakho has scored 19 goals in 49 games for West Ham. Looking at the statistics for last season, there are similarities between the two men- Dzeko amassed 2.6 shots per game to Sakho’s 2.3, had a pass completion ratio of 65.7% compared to Sakho’s 62.2%. However, in other areas Dzeko edges ahead of Sakho: he scored 4 more goals (albeit perhaps tellingly having played fifteen more games), 11 as opposed to 7; assisted teammates 7 times as opposed to Sakho’s singular assist; and won 3.7 aerial duels per game as opposed to Sakho’s 2.6.
YouTube: Edin Džeko – Amazing Goal Show & Skills (2013/14) HD
Dzeko’s superior goal and assist stats, Premier League experience, and arguably reputation seem to give him the edge over Diafra Sakho and whilst both men would be a welcome improvement to the current squad, in Sam Allardyce’s shoes, I would opt for the experienced Bosnian to partner Jermain Defoe.
