Sunderland made a “decisive” move for a former Premier League player this summer, with the individual in question scoring a huge Champions League goal this week.
Le Bris ready for "tough" Aston Villa challenge
The Black Cats are back in league action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light, as the hosts look to continue their good start to the season.
On the flip side, Villa haven’t got going at all yet, not even scoring a single Premier League goal in their opening four games, but Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris expects a “tough” challenge for his side this weekend.
“It’s important to take points where it’s possible. Sometimes you play well and you can deserve to win something but in the end you don’t because the Premier League is really tough. But in different games, it’s possible to win points so we did that. The efficiency and the quality of our game connected so we need to keep going.
“Another tough challenge at home. We will prepare this game properly. We have one week and I hope we will be at the level.”
It was a hugely productive summer transfer window for Sunderland, with so many new faces arriving, but a fresh claim suggests that they missed out on acquiring the signature of one player.
Sunderland missed out on Champions League ace
According to TuttoSport [via Sport Witness], Sunderland made a “decisive” move to sign Juventus defender Lloyd Kelly earlier in the summer, tabling an offer and looking to snap him up for £17.4m, bringing him in on loan with an obligation to buy.
The 26-year-old rejected the Black Cats advances, though, as well as Fenerbahce’s, staying put in Turin and scoring a dramatic equaliser in his side’s 4-4 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening.
Sunderland failing to sign Kelly is a shame, considering the Englishman is a proven player at the top level, making 64 appearances in the Premier League, as well as being able to shine at centre-back and left-back. Not only that, but Gary O’Neil showered him with praise during their time together at Bournemouth, having kept Mohamed Salah quiet in a game.
“I thought Lloyd was incredible. I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury. Didn’t have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much, to play left back against one of the best wingers in the world. I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender.”
Kelly appears to be happy at Juventus, playing an important role in big games, but if the chance does arise for Sunderland to snap him up again in the near future, whether that be in January or next summer, they should look to strike a deal.
