Sadiq Fires Third La Liga Goal in Four Games to State His Case to Eric Chel

Sadiq Umar waited seven matches to score. Then he scored three in four.

The Valencia striker came off the bench at San Mamés on Sunday — replaced Hugo Duro — and headed home a counter-attacking move in the 72nd minute to give his side a 1-0 win over Athletic Club. Three goals in four La Liga appearances now. Four goals and three assists across his 17 league matches since joining Valencia.

The timing is deliberate in its own way. Chelle has named Sadiq among substitutes in World Cup qualifiers but never given him a senior run. The Nigeria coach has options — but a striker scoring winning goals away at San Mamés in the final weeks of a La Liga season is hard to ignore.

Valencia sit 12th on 42 points. Safe. And Sadiq is a big reason why the relegation fear has faded.