The Tottenham star no fan wanted to sell is having a nightmare season
The Spurs fanbase quickly developed a fondness for Big Kevin Danso after he joined the club midway through the 2024/25 campaign.
Danso was a late January addition to Ange Postecoglou's defence, and a much-needed one given our desperate situation.
The Austrian international had starred for a Lens side that made it's long-awaited return to the Champions League in 2023/24 and beat Arsenal along the way.
There was an acceptance across the board that Danso would merely provide mitigation while Postecoglou navigated a classic injury crisis at the heart of his backline and sought to prioritise Europa League success.
Danso did a whole lot of losing during his first few months at the club, as he started 10 Premier League games and provided security off the bench in Europe. He was the man Ange called when he required an extra defender to see a game out, as pragmatism took hold of the idealistic Australian at just the right time. As a result, Danso played 11 minutes during our glorious night in Bilbao.
While hardly outstanding, Danso's big smile, warmth and humility meant a fanbase had no choice but to love him. Thus, sadness permeated north London when Roberto De Zerbi disclosed in August that the defender had asked to leave, subsequently earning a loan move to Sunderland.
Danso's nightmare season reaches nadir with Bournemouth red card
Spurs' defensive reshuffle still left Danso in reserve, and the 28-year-old wanted regular first-team starts. Sunderland said they could provide such a guarantee, given their beefier schedule this term, and Danso will join the Black Cats permanently next summer if they stay in the Premier League this season.
However, that may not be the case if the Austrian has anything to do with it. He's had a wretched start to the season up on Wearside, and his early-season woes peaked on the south coast when he was sent off for hauling down Bournemouth's Evanilson after a clumsy touch allowed the striker to break through on goal.
Danso has started six games since his arrival, with Dan Ballard's injury opening the door for the loanee to shine. However, his form has left Régis Le Bris with no choice but to limit his minutes once he returns from suspension.
The nature of Danso's dismissal means he'll only serve a one-match ban, and he'll be available for Thursday's Europa League tie away to Lech Poznán.
Sunday's mess was merely the nadir for Danso. Errors have littered his loan so far, with his work in possession coming under harsh scrutiny. The 28-year-old was erratic in the 5-3 defeat at Manchester City and similarly lax in the home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. An early Danso mistake wasn't punished by the visitors, who claimed victory at the Stadium of Light despite playing much of the contest with 10 men.
After the highs of last season, Sunderland, who could end the Gameweek bottom of the Premier League table, may well be succumbing to the division's infamous 'second season syndrome'.
