Sima didn’t make his debut against Huddersfield, still sorting out his visa. When should he meet his new teammates?

More than ten days ago came the expected departure of Abdallah Sima abroad. But new employer Brighton sent the Senegalese international on loan to Stoke. While most of the other newcomers in the Isles are experiencing their debuts this week, Sima is waiting in Paris for his visa.

Expectations are high at Stoke for the 20-year-old striker on loan. There has been talk of Sima being linked with a move to West Ham or other leading Premier League clubs, but Red and White fans have never dreamed of his arrival, even if it is only a one-year loan deal.

Potters supporters are thus eagerly awaiting his performance on the dreaded rainy night in Stoke. That should have come on Saturday when they hosted fifth-placed Huddersfield at the Bet365 Stadium.

However, Sima did not even appear on the bench, as he was in Paris at the time of the game getting permission to enter the British Isles.

“Sima is not here yet. He has to get his visa first and as far as we know he should land in England on Monday,” said his new coach Michael O’Niell about Abdallah Sima’s situation.

Stoke have started this year’s Championship season successfully. Three wins from the last five games are enough to finish 6th on the table, so this year looks like a different song than the one the fans were used to after relegation from the Premier League.

In fact, Stoke have failed to crack the top ten even once in the last three seasons.

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