Nigeria legend Garba Lawal during an interview with Footy-Africa backed Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi’s decision to remain at FC Porto, insisting that a move to the Premier League is “useless” without the guarantee of regular football.
The 26-year-old fullback was the subject of significant interest from English clubs last summer, with FC Porto, manager Francesco Farioli Porto recently revealed that Sanusi turned down the opportunity to move to the United Kingdom.
Despite his current contract nearing its final months, the defender has fought his way back into the starting lineup and is now reportedly in talks to extend his stay at the Estádio do Dragão.
Philosophy of readiness
Lawal, who represented Nigeria at two World Cups, believes Sanusi’s decision to reject a Premier League switch shows a level of maturity often missing in modern transfers.
”Each and every player wants to play in the Premier League, including myself before I retired,” Lawal told Footy-Africa.
“But not everyone has that chance to play. When you want to make a transfer, you have to look at the team you are going to and the position you are playing. If you are not going to have playing time there, then there is no use going there.”
Lawal suggested that Sanusi’s hesitation likely stemmed from an honest self-assessment of his own adaptation to a new league.
”Nobody knows exactly why he did that, but maybe he felt he was not 100% ready. It is a different scenario; he may move when he is not 100% ready, and then he is going to crash. If you don’t have that 100% preparation to fight, it is better you stay where you are, especially because those people [Porto] did not say they wanted to sell him.”
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Stability at the Dragão
Sanusi has enjoyed a resurgence in Portugal, becoming a vital part of the squad’s recent success. For Lawal, the harmony between the player and his current environment outweighs the potential glamour of a move abroad.
”At the moment, the coach is happy with him at Porto, the boy is happy, and he is playing well—those are the most important things,” Lawal noted.
“He is a fantastic player, like Zaidu was the last time I saw him. If he is happy in Porto, the coach is happy, and the fans are happy for him, then I believe there is no problem.”
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Contract crossroad
With Sanusi’s deal set to expire this summer, the ball remains in the Nigerian’s court. While Porto is keen to secure his future with an improved financial package, Lawal warns that the club must move quickly to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
”The contract is expiring in the summer, which is fantastic for him. Now, if he wants to go to the Premier League, he can. If he wants to stay because the team wants to offer him more money, why not? It depends on him now to decide what to do. He has already decided he wants to stay, and that is what matters. However, if they fail to reach a new agreement, the club will not make any money because he will move on.”
Sanusi, who has become a mainstay in the Porto defense since his arrival at the Estádio do Dragão in 2020.
