Former Ghana and Chelsea coach Avram Grant reckons Asamoah Gyan’s famous 2011 transfer from English Premier League side Sunderland to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates greatly hampered the striker’s progress.

After hitting 10 league goals in his first season with The Black Cats, Gyan promptly pursued a move away, originally joining the Arabian club on loan which was later made permanent.

The mouthwatering transfer was reportedly worth up to £6 million, with the striker receiving up to four times his previous salary.

“Asamoah Gyan had one of the biggest qualities I have ever seen in my life because he has everything as a striker,” Grant who coached Gyan between 2014 and 2017 told 443gh.

“He has the passion to score; he can score with his feet [and] his head. He is very good mentally. I’m sure you remember the 2015 AFCON game against Algeria – the goal he scored in the last minute.

“I think his biggest mistake was not staying in the Premier League. He could have stayed because I think if he (did), he would have been considered as one of the best strikers.

“I spoke to Didier Drogba not long ago and he told me Asamoah Gyan is one of his favourites and he could have achieved more.

“I think it was a mistake moving from the Premier League but we all make mistakes when we are young.

“He should have stayed in the Premier League. There are not many strikers with his qualities.”

Gyan began his career with local side Liberty Professional before moving to Italian fold Udinese in 2003. He was farmed out to lower division side Modena at some point of his time with Udinese.

Gyan joined Sunderland from French fold Stade Rennais in 2010 following fine performances for Ghana at the World Cup. His good showing at the global gathering also helped earn him the 2010 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. – Goal.com