While the loan market had been used to bring in some young talent from bigger clubs this was a little different: Ki was apparently surplus to requirements at Swansea, a club certainly as far as ambition for the season was concerned should have been on par with Sunderland. But with time running out, and then manager Di Canio desperately needing midfield reinforcements having frozen half his playing staff out Ki was the underwhelming signing to fill the void, as far as fans were concerned. He would settle into a position that Sunderland had for two summers struggled with, Huddleston the latest to turn the club down. Although, with Sunderland struggling at the bottom of the table Ki proved right away a promising addition. Instantly, his training with Swansea showed through, a student of the patient and assured tiki-taka brand of football employed by the Swans was clear to see: forming little triangles to keep the ball, always available and in space. So when mentality and management changed, Poyet would make Ki the most important player in the side, utilising him just ahead of his defence. Everything good would go through Ki from now on. But as Sunderlands confidence grew, it became clear that Ki was being wasted playing so defensively. Pushed further up, Ki would score a couple of vital, as well as memorable goals, notably on the road to Wembley.
