Posted by Former England and Sunderland striker Darren Bent has opened up on how he felt when Sunderland signed Asamoah Gyan in 2010.
Asamoah Gyan in August 2010 signed for Sunderland on a four-year deal for a club record £13 million, he went on to score 11 goals and provide five assists in 37 competitive appearances for the club.
However, according to Bent, he wasn’t happy seeing Sunderland sign Gyan, knowing he was a top player that performed at the World Cup where Ghana reached the quarter-finals before losing to Uruguay on penalties.
“You can’t help but think, ‘what’s going on here?” Bent told TalkSport.
“I wouldn’t say it was an issue, but when I was at Sunderland I had a very, very good season. I scored loads of goals.
“And then I missed out on the World Cup that summer and Asamoah Gyan was fantastic for Ghana that summer.
“I remember reading the paper one day, maybe I was at home or on holiday, and it said, ‘Sunderland have been linked with Asamoah Gyan’, and I thought that’s a bit odd.
“Next thing I know, I return to pre-season a little later, and Gyan walks in the building… Danny Welbeck walks in the building…
“I’m thinking, ‘What is going on here!?’ I stayed, but only until January.”
Asked what his initial reaction was, and if he was sizing Gyan up after his arrival, Bent continued: “Of course. That’s what you do.
“You start looking in training and thinking what is he good at? What can he do, what can he not do so well?
“Ultimately, in the position I play in it’s just about scoring more goals than them. That’s the way I thought about.”
Darren Bent left Sunderland for Aston Villa in January 2011. Asamoah Gyan also departed to Al Ain in September 2011.