Benji Kimpioka opens up on contract impasse, first league goal and why he 'loves' being at Sunderland

The 19-year-old scored his first league goal on Saturday afternoon to rescue a point against Coventry City.

Kimpioka has been offered a new deal by the club but is yet to take it, with his agent saying in September that he requires assurances over his first-team future.

The youngster himself is welcoming opportunities afforded by a change in manager and a number of injuries to senior players, and insists that is his only concern at the moment.

“I’m not focusing on that at the moment,” he said.

“I’m just focusing on football, that’s what I love and what I live for.

“I’m just trying to put my mind on the ball and the pitch, and nothing else.

“I speak a lot to my brother and he just tells me, let the football do the talking.

“Do your talking on the pitch, focus on the pitch, and that will only help me with the other things.

“I’ve been here three years now, I’m familiar with the people and it’s a lovely place,” he added.

“Everyone is lovely, you can’t not love a place like this.

“I’m happy here and we’ll see what happens.”

Kimpioka’s Sunderland career had looked to be drifting after those remarks from his agent, the club eager to protect their asset and disappointed by the lack of progress made in coming to an agreement.

Former manager Jack Ross had not used Kimpioka in any game this season.

His last appearance was the 5-4 defeat to Saturday’s opponents in April of last year.

Phil Parkinson’s arrival as manager, and the subsequent injuries to forward players that followed, have forced some pragmatism and the Swede has been handed something of a lifeline.

That composed finish has done his chances no harm and Kimpioka said it was both a ‘happy feeling’ and one of relief.

“It was such a happy feeling,” he said.

“It was relief, too, I’ve been working hard and I wanted to score my first league goal so much.

“I’ve had to be patient for it, it came today and I’m so grateful for that.

“I’m grateful for every minute I get on the pitch and when you come on you just have to work hard.

“Grant had the ball and I’m grateful he spotted me, then it’s just me and the keeper and I just had to stay composed.”

WIth Gooch and Wyke still working their way back to full fitness, Kimpioka knows he has a big opportunity to try and establish himself as a player who Parkinsons sees as a viable option for a more regular spot in his matchday squad.

“Absolutely, that’s the way I have to see things,” he said.

“Work hard, take my chances and see where it takes me.

“When the new manager comes in you have to see it as an opportunity.

“Jack Ross was the first manager to give me an opportunity and I’ll be grateful to him for the rest of my life for that.

“The new manager has come in and so I have to prove myself to him, he’s seen what I can do and given me a chance and I’m grateful for that.

“One goal doesn’t change everything, does it?

“I still have to work hard in training and do my best with the minutes I do get.”

Kimpioka’s cameo and crucial intervention drew praise from Parkinson, a manager struggling to get a response from the more established striking options in his squad.

The Black Cats boss admitted after the game that he will consider his team selection ‘very carefully’ when Burton Albion visit the Stadium of Light for a crucial game on Tuesday night.

“He hasn’t done himself any harm with getting the goal,” Parkinson said.

“He can’t do anymore, he only had 10 minutes or so but got an important goal for us.

“We will think about the team selection very carefully.”

Kimpioka, for his part, has vowed not to change the style that can frustrate managers but also offers them a completely different option to most forward players.

He is eager for more opportunities and has vowed to play without fear if they do come along.

“That’s how you have to be,” he said.

“There’s no point being safe, you have to make a mark out there.

“Everyone can just get the ball and be safe with it, so you have to show what you are made of.

“If you make a mistake, alright, it’s about how you bounce back from it.”

With Sunderland’s season losing momentum at an alarming rate and the club’s woes in front of goal only deepening, it could be that the 19-year-old turns out to be an unexpected beneficiary.