Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that both Sunderland and Jayden Danns will be left disappointed with how the highly anticipated deadline-day loan move from Liverpool has unfolded. The young striker was in high demand during the January transfer window, attracting interest from Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, and Stoke City before Sunderland ultimately secured his signature. Given his reputation as a prolific scorer at youth level and his impressive FA Cup brace against Southampton last season, expectations were high that he would bolster Sunderland’s push for Premier League promotion.
| Jayden Danns’ 23/24 stats for Liverpool, as per FotMob | ||
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
| Premier League | 2 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 2 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League | 1 | 0 |
However, things have not gone according to plan. Despite an underlying back injury being detected during his medical, Sunderland pushed ahead with the deal. Unfortunately, that very issue has prevented Danns from making any impact at Wearside. He has been undergoing rehabilitation at Liverpool, and at one point, it seemed unlikely that he would play for Sunderland at all. More recent reports suggest that he could return before the season ends, with Sunderland expecting him back in training this month. While there is hope that he might feature in the play-offs, the overall feeling of frustration surrounding the deal remains.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie shared his thoughts on the situation, describing the mutual disappointment felt by both the club and the player. He acknowledged Danns’ immense potential and felt that Sunderland took a calculated risk that ultimately didn’t pay off. “I thought he was a good addition,” Hendrie said. “But anyone going to a club unfit, struggling with little niggles, is always a gamble, and it hasn’t worked out. Sunderland fans would’ve loved to see him in action, but unfortunately, he hasn’t played a single game, which makes it a real disappointment.” He also noted that Danns himself will be frustrated at missing the chance to prove himself on the pitch.
In hindsight, Sunderland may have been better off walking away from the deal once Danns’ injury was flagged during his medical. While his talent is undeniable, the club’s decision to take a risk on his fitness has left them without the boost they had hoped for. Sunderland’s push for automatic promotion has stalled in recent weeks, and it’s worth questioning whether their campaign would have been stronger had they focused on signing fully fit players ready to make an immediate impact.
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