Sadiq wants more playing time

Nigeria international Sadiq Umar has expressed his frustration at the lack of game time at Real Sociedad, adding that he hopes to prove his worth with regular time on the pitch, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

So far this season, Sadiq has made only six appearances for the Spanish side, starting just two of those games and coming in as a substitute on four occasions.

The 27-year-old has only managed to play a total of 205 minutes of action from a possible 1,260 minutes.

Reacting to his lack of playing time that has seen him yet to score a goal so far this season, the Roma Academy graduate said he needed continuity to be at his optimal best.

“I just need continuity and that does not depend on me. I’m training well, I’m more than a professional now and that other part doesn’t depend on me,” Sadiq told Oluwashina Okeleji, per eldesmarque.

“The only thing I can do is keep pushing and keep training hard and, when I have continuity, it will be time to prove it.”

Sadiq started the 2022/23 season in fine form, scoring three goals in five matches, including his debut goal for the Txuri-Urdinak against Atletico Madrid, before suffering an injury that sidelined him for 11 months.

Since his return from the ACL injury, Umar has been a shadow of himself.

After making his return in the 2023/24 season against Girona, Umar has not been able to replicate the form that prompted Sociedad to make him their most expensive signing.

Despite a glimmer of brilliance, the Nigerian has not been able to make his way into Imanol Alguacil’s starting XI this season, and the 27-year-old has neither scored nor provided an assist in the league.

In August, Sadiq requested to leave Real Sociedad due to another turbulent season with the Basque club and has been linked to several clubs who have all indicated interest.