Former Huddersfield coach Sadiq Umar praises Super Eagles striker as exceptional.

Super Eagles and Valencia forward Umar Sadiq has earned praise from former Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan, according to AfriK Foot.

The 29‑year‑old entered the match as a substitute and netted Valencia’s sole goal against Athletic Club two days ago, helping Los Che move to 12th place in the La Liga standings.

The strike was Sadiq’s sixth in all competitions for Valencia since he joined permanently from Real Sociedad in the winter transfer window.

Umar Sadiq of Valencia. Copyright: Imago xIvanxTerronx

Carlos Corberan lauds Sadiq Umar

Although Sadiq proved decisive at the Estadio de San Mamés, the former Rangers striker has often been used off the bench under Corberan.

Out of the 22 matches he has appeared in since the start of the year, only 10 have seen him in the starting lineup, a situation that has evidently frustrated him.

Corberan maintains that his priority is what benefits the team rather than catering to individual emotions.

Umar Sadiq. Photo by IMAGO

Still, the Spanish coach acknowledges the frustration Valencia players feel due to limited playing time this season.

“No two players are ever the same in a dressing room, there are never two people who are equal,” the former Huddersfield Town coach said, as reported by Futbol Fantasy.

“We all come from different families, different cultures, different countries, and we have to enrich ourselves and get the best out of each one, from our personality, and correct; we all have things that we can do better, correct them all.”

“But I’m not talking about Sadiq, I’m talking about all of us. Learn from the good we all have, improve on things that are not our greatest virtues and that is.”

Carlos Corberan, head coach of Valencia. Copyright: ImagoxIvanxTerronx

“Sadiq is an exceptional boy, a player in whom the sense of humor is part of his personality.”

“I don’t want to change it, I won’t change it, or pretend to change it. He is here at the club because what he gave us last year we really liked, he offers very good options to the team, so happy with it.”

“This is football, when something goes well it seems that it is the result of that, and if the thing does not go well it also seems to be the result of the same.”

“Absolute tranquility, and the good balanced environment with the highest demand is positive. And this group, fortunately, has those two things, although they have not always been able to reflect it on the pitch,” the 43‑year‑old concluded.

Umar Sadiq. Photo by IMAGO

Valencia remain 12th in the La Liga table but are not yet guaranteed safety; they sit four points above 18th‑placed Girona with three league matches remaining.

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Adefolahan Guerreiro

Sports Writer