Last January, Josh Maja made the move from Sunderland to Bordeaux for just £1.53 (transfermarkt.co.uk). The 20-year-old’s striker has made 14 appearances or the French side, 13 of which have come in Ligue 1. In those appearances, he has managed to score three goals, one of which came on the weekend against Reims (transfermarkt.co.uk).
The goal was a beautiful backheeled flick that gave goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic no chance at making a save. Sunderland fan account Roker Report posted a clip of the striker’s goal. The footage caused supporters to question why the player was ever sold. They praise his instinctive movement and natural goal-scoring ability.
Natural goal scorer. Good to see him doing well. Stewart Donald’s first big mistake
— General Mayhem (@Tony_young78) December 1, 2019
We would have gone up with him. Should have paid what he asked for.
— SAFC North Yorkshire (@SAFC_NYorkshire) December 2, 2019
Instinctive and great movement to be in the right place at the right time!
— Stephen Nesbitt (@StephenNesbit16) December 2, 2019
Other fans encourage the club’s owners to watch the footage, hoping that they recognise their mistakes. Supporters are convinced that the team could be sitting comfortably in the Championship right now if they hadn’t sold him. One fan can’t believe that they only received around £1.5m for such a talented youngster.
Hope the club watch this one! Wow. And we’ve got grigg and wyke.
— SAFC&Golf (@Safcgolfer75) December 2, 2019
Would be sitting mid table in the championship instead of league 1 if we never sold him @LionelSpeccy
— Adam (@AJC98__) December 1, 2019
£1.5 million. That’s all we got.
— Jordan Ramsey (@RamseySAFC) December 2, 2019
Would Sunderland be in the Championship now if they hadn't sold Maja?
Yes
No
What do we think?
At the end of the day, Maja is gone and likely won’t come back. Sunderland must work with what they have to escape the miseries of the EFL League One, but it won’t stop these Sunderland fans from dreaming of what could have been.