15 August 2013 8:30 | By Chris Young
STEPHANE Sessegnon IS part of Paolo Di Canioâs plans at the Stadium of Light, the Sunderland head coach has confirmed.
It has been a second successive summer of speculation regarding Sessegnonâs future, despite the Benin international starting all five of Sunderlandâs pre-season friendlies.
Sunderland were understood to be willing to listen to offers for Sessegnon earlier in the summer, while interest emerged earlier this week from Qatari side Al-Jaish.
But, after being impressed by Sessegnonâs attitude during pre-season, Di Canio wants the 29-year-old to be part of his overhauled Black Cats side.
The head coach told the Echo: âHeâs part of my plans.
âAnything can happen, not just with Sess, John OâShea, anybody.
âBut, with what Iâve seen from him during the summer, weâve now got a good footballer.â
Di Canio says he has seen a changed personality from Sessegnon over recent weeks too.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who penned a new Sunderland contract last August, is one of the most reserved characters in the Black Cats dressing room.
But Di Canio believes the new regime at the Academy of Light â which sees the entire squad sit down together for lunch after training â has produced more unity among his players.
âI donât want to say heâs becoming joker,â added Di Canio.
âBut heâs speaking at the table when theyâre having lunch and making a joke.
âThat proves that thereâs been a change.
âIt is not because of Paolo Di Canio. Itâs because of the environment weâve changed.
âItâs helped people to push out and relate with the others and show their personality.
âHe is never going to be the most open man in the world because he is shy, but, with his team-mates, he is open.
âBefore, when I tried to speak to Sess five minutes after training, someone would say âheâs goneâ.
âHe would have a quick shower and go.
âNow the fact he spends time with the others, you can see, that heâs having fun and that will help on the field.
âYou can see how heâs participated in the games. Heâs another player.â
STEPHANE Sessegnon IS part of Paolo Di Canioâs plans at the Stadium of Light, the Sunderland head coach has confirmed.
It has been a second successive summer of speculation regarding Sessegnonâs future, despite the Benin international starting all five of Sunderlandâs pre-season friendlies.
Sunderland were understood to be willing to listen to offers for Sessegnon earlier in the summer, while interest emerged earlier this week from Qatari side Al-Jaish.
But, after being impressed by Sessegnonâs attitude during pre-season, Di Canio wants the 29-year-old to be part of his overhauled Black Cats side.
The head coach told the Echo: âHeâs part of my plans.
âAnything can happen, not just with Sess, John OâShea, anybody.
âBut, with what Iâve seen from him during the summer, weâve now got a good footballer.â
Di Canio says he has seen a changed personality from Sessegnon over recent weeks too.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who penned a new Sunderland contract last August, is one of the most reserved characters in the Black Cats dressing room.
But Di Canio believes the new regime at the Academy of Light â which sees the entire squad sit down together for lunch after training â has produced more unity among his players.
âI donât want to say heâs becoming joker,â added Di Canio.
âBut heâs speaking at the table when theyâre having lunch and making a joke.
âThat proves that thereâs been a change.
âIt is not because of Paolo Di Canio. Itâs because of the environment weâve changed.
âItâs helped people to push out and relate with the others and show their personality.
âHe is never going to be the most open man in the world because he is shy, but, with his team-mates, he is open.
âBefore, when I tried to speak to Sess five minutes after training, someone would say âheâs goneâ.
âHe would have a quick shower and go.
âNow the fact he spends time with the others, you can see, that heâs having fun and that will help on the field.
âYou can see how heâs participated in the games. Heâs another player.â