Sadiq Umar tenders request to Real Sociedad boss Francisco amid promise of increased game time

Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar has stated that his major target this season is to get more minutes and score more goals for Real Sociedad, Soccernet.ng reports.

Sadiq has had a slow start to the season, especially after he tried to push for an exit in the summer.

The 28-year-old striker did not partake in pre-season and missed the Txuri-Urdin's first five games of the campaign.

When he even made his season debut against Mallorca at the Reale Arena on September 24, he was booed by the home fans.

However, he has continued to get minutes since then. He even played 78 minutes against Negreira in the Copa Del Rey in midweek.

After that game, Real Sociedad coach Sergio Franciso even promised him more game time in the coming weeks.

Sadiq Umar's Request To Sergio Francisco

This weekend, Real Sociedad have a big game against Athletic Bilbao. And in an interview before the fixture, Sadiq Umar noted that he is also looking to get more minutes to prove his importance to the team.

“For me as a striker, I always want to play and I always want to score. But everything will come one step at a time, and I'm just waiting for my opportunity,” Sadiq told Sporty TV.

Sadiq joined Real Sociedad from Almeria in 2022 for a club-record €20million. But the transfer has not panned out as they would have wished.

After scoring on his debut, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament in his third game for the club, and that made things tough for him.

He spent nearly a year on the sidelines. And When he even returned to action, he struggled to return to his best.

Due to his lack of minutes and problems with former Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil, Sadiq had to join Valencia midway into last season in a loan deal. He wanted to join the club permanently, but the transfer did not work out.

The season is only 10 games gone. So, with 28 games left, the Super Eagles star will be looking to establish himself as a starter in the coming weeks.