The going is good at Leeds United right now. But for a certain Ian Poveda, who left the club last year, the going is getting tougher and tougher.
Ian Poveda could’ve been the next big thing in football. He certainly had the potential and the pedigree to become a top player, and he had the chance to do so at Leeds United whom he joined in 2020.
But the former Manchester City and Barcelona youngster would make just 30 first-team appearances for the Whites in four years. At the end of last season, Leeds United released Poveda.
The 25-year-old had mixed loan spells away from Elland Road but showed promise in the second half of last season with Sheffield Wednesday, earning himself a move to Sunderland as a free agent.
Signing a three-year deal with an option for a fourth, it promised to be a great opportunity for the Colombian. But injury has once again taken over in what’s been a rather disastrous maiden season at the Stadium of Light for Poveda.
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Yet another injury blow for former Leeds United man Ian Poveda
In February, Poveda played against Leeds United in the Whites’ 2-1 comeback win against the Black Cats. It marked Poveda’s sixth Championship appearance of the season as he awaits his first league start for his new club.
Multiple injuries has seen him spend weeks at a time on the sidelines. And now there’s more bad news for the attacker after Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris confirmed yet another injury blow.
Speaking to Sunderland Echo ahead of a Championship clash against Cardiff City on Saturday, Le Bris revealed: “I don’t know exactly what the timeframe will be for his return to play but it might be three to four weeks. It’s frustrating because we know he is talented as a winger, he has the ability to dribble and create something from nothing in short spaces.”
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Ian Poveda’s one wish has not come true at Sunderland
Nobody doubts Poveda’s ability. Even at Leeds it was clear to see that there was a player in there, but that injury prevented him from really fulfilling his potential.
Then after joining Sunderland, Poveda said that all he wants to do is play some regular football after a stop-start four year stint with Leeds. He said: “All I want to do is get on the pitch and play for Sunderland.”
But so far it’s been injury after injury on Wearside. This latest blow will likely rule him out until well after the March international break with Le Bris bound to not rush Poveda back, knowing how injury prone he is.
It’s certainly a sad sight and surely a frustrating situation for Poveda to be in.
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