Audio By Carbonatix
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is confident that record signing Asamoah Gyan will more than justify his transfer fee.
The 24-year-old Ghana international had to be patient in waiting for his chance following his £13m summer arrival from French side Rennes.
However, having been given the nod in the wake of leading scorer Darren Bent's hamstring injury, he has repaid Bruce's faith in style.
His strike in the remarkable 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Chelsea on Sunday was his fifth since joining the club and his fourth in three league starts.
Bruce has had to justify every penny he has asked owner Ellis Short to invest since he took over the reins at the Stadium of Light, and he admits the club possibly paid slightly more than he would have wanted for Gyan.
However, in the wake of Kenwyne Jones' departure for Stoke and Fraizer Campbell's serious knee injury, he knew they had to act and is delighted they are now reaping the rewards of their bold swoop for the African.
Bruce said: "The one thing I try to do is think of it as if it's my money - not that I would ever pay £13m for a footballer.
"You try to get good value and you try to be a bit prudent as best you can.
"Arguably, we paid maybe a bit too much, but after what happened to Fraizer and then selling Kenwyne, it was imperative that we got somebody in.
"At the time, my thought was if something happened to Darren, how could we cope? Thankfully with this boy, who is different, very different, he has come to the party at the right time."
Bruce hopes to have Bent back in harness for Monday night's home meeting with Everton, and that would give him the opportunity to pair the duo in attack from the start in a league match for the first time.
However, loan signing Danny Welbeck was hugely impressive in tandem with the Ghanaian at Chelsea, where he also scored.
That could persuade the manager that there is no need to take any risks with the England international who damaged his hamstring in training the day before the 2-0 victory over Stoke City on 6th November, the match in which Bruce had intended to play Bent and Gyan together.
The newcomer's response was devastating as he scored both goals to announce himself in earnest.
Source: Premierleague.com
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
President Mahama to launch Free Primary Healthcare initiative today
12 minutes -
NHIS coverage climbs to 66% in 2025 — NHIA CEO
15 minutes -
Free primary healthcare funding a misplaced priority — Ayew Afriyie
22 minutes -
A balanced tax cut approach to petroleum price surges in Ghana
24 minutes -
IGP promotes 7 officers for role in Tema anti-robbery operation
37 minutes -
Walewale youth lock up Coordinating Director’s office amid protest
45 minutes -
A walk through the regulatory framework around trade license plates (DV & DP)
55 minutes -
Today’s front pages: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
55 minutes -
BoG Governor Johnson Asiama pushes for changes to IMF support for member countries
2 hours -
Ghana Insurers Association backs SIGA’s integrating policy as a strategic pathway for sector growth
2 hours -
‘Physically attractive’ comment sparks outrage – FIDA accuses judge of gender bias
2 hours -
IMF revises Ghana’s growth rate for 2026 to 4.8%, inflation at 7.9% despite global economic pressures
3 hours -
Energy Minister John Jinapor likely to suspend some fuel margins today
3 hours -
King Charles will not meet Epstein survivors on US visit
3 hours -
Fela makes history as first African to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
3 hours