Chris Young of the echo, i hope you read this..'**** of you cockend, are you just making things up, you have got no ****ing idea of what's in Poyets mind.. COSTEL Pantilimon is pencilled in to be Sunderland’s new first-choice stopper after completing his move to the Stadium of Light. Out-of-contract Pantilimon was last night unveiled as Sunderland’s third Bosman signing of the summer after agreeing a four-year deal with the Black Cats, albeit his free transfer from Manchester City will not be formalised until July 1. The 27-year-old follows Billy Jones and Jordi Gomez in arriving at the Stadium of Light on free transfers this summer, as Sunderland have fulfilled their remit of boosting their threadbare square with proven Premier League performers. But the arrival of Pantilimon, who was released by the Premier League champions at the end of the season, immediately throws the status of last year’s Player of the Season Vito Mannone into doubt. Despite Mannone becoming a huge fans favourite during his maiden campaign at the Stadium of Light, the Echo understands that Gus Poyet has been on the lookout this summer for a keeper capable of being his first-choice custodian. Poyet, who was linked with Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni, has been prepared to relegate Mannone to a back-up role to accommodate a proven new stopper, rather than simply bringing in cover for the Italian after the departures of Keiren Westwood and Oscar Ustari. But that does not mean Mannone will be offloaded, with Poyet envisaging an intense level of competitions between his two front-line stoppers. Pantilimon does not expect to continue as a back-up keeper though after predominantly offering cover for England stopper Joe Hart at Man City, albeit he started against Sunderland in March’s Capital One Cup final. The 18-time Romanian international was no longer content to be second fiddle at City and didn’t want to extend his contract there - reinforcing the likelihood that he is unlikely to accept a similar situation at Sunderland. “It is a great privilege and honour to join a club like Sunderland. They have an amazing history and tradition and of course passionate fans,” said Pantilimon. “When I left Manchester City, it was important that I chose a club with good ambition and a manager who has the hunger and desire to take the team forward. “After speaking with the boss, I knew this was the right place and he was the right man. I can’t wait to start.” Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton added: “Competition for places is healthy and brings out the best in players. We already have a great goalkeeper in Vito Manonne and another one now in Costel. “Add to this youngster Jordan Pickford, who recently signed a long-term deal and we have a very strong stable of goalkeepers, which is vitally important in the top flight.”
Its all about quality competition and now we have it for the keepers jersey too. I like Mannone but no player should be guaranteed a game. Keeps everyone on their toes IMO. I think its a cracking signing.
Can't see why he'd leave Man city to become second choice at sunderland. Looks like Mannone is on his way?
He's not gonna say 'i'm here happy to play 2nd fiddle' of course he's after the number 1 spot, as will pickford be, its up to vito to keep him out or pants to force his way in, healthy competition is how i see it
Lee Congerton said: “Competition for places is healthy and brings out the best in players. We already have a great goalkeeper in Vito Manonne and another one now in Costel.
Whoooooaaaaaa!!!! 2 mins · @claudioruss According to SKY Italia ‪#‎Napoli‬ is interested in ‪#‎SAFC‬ GK ‪#‎Mannone‬, which asked to leave. Also ‪#‎QPR‬ interested too
Vito Mannone is ready to say goodbye to Sunderland. After a good season with Sunderland, he asked to leave because the arrival of the former Mancehster City’s player Pantilimon put his starting spot at risk. Napoli is interested in him and could move if the negotiation for Reina definetely collapses. Newly promoted QPR is after the former Arsenal’s goalkeeper too. http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/calc...-asked-to-leave-napoli-and-qpr-are-after-him/
Absolute bollocks man. We sign a keeper when we are woefully short so immediately the player of the year thinks he's had it and jumps ship. Horse ****. If it's QPR, by the way, it's £22million, ****ing ****stain of a club.
Michael Graham ‏@Capt_Fishpaste 6m If anyone was wondering, the Mannone story is rubbish. He hasn't asked to leave. #safc Chris Young ‏@YoungSunEcho 1m Reports in Italy about Vito Mannone wanting out and Napoli interested. Told there's nowt in it. Predictable yarns after Pantilimon capture Seems good enough to me
Sunderland echo ****ers, Read their story earlier about this ****er being number one. Pair of ****s they are, do they also work at roker report?
It would hardly be a sign of confidence if he wanted to leave to avoid competition. A classic manufactured coincidence by the press I reckon.
Great signing IMO, he is a class keeper. If Vito is to go we need to at least demand top money for him like we did with Migg. I could accept it if its a big club and we get 10m plus for him. I like others hope he stays. Its an ambitious signing though, this guy kept Joe Hart out the Man City side for a while and looked very good doing it. He is young (in keeper terms) too.
