Warning! Contains **** questions and Dumb arses @nic_safc: Any transfer news? How close are the Lens and Lombearts deals, seems we take an age to get them over the line Chris Young: From what I'm told, it's all about haggling over the price with Dynamo Kiev and Zenit St Petersburg respectively. Both players seem to be keen on the moves. But it's just dragging on a bit in agreeing the prices --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darren Chatton, on facebook: do u think we are in trouble with the likes of the mags signing Wijnaldum, for 15 million and palace getting cabaye for 10 million and we are signing 2 million rated defenders basically refusing to spend real money again and wonder why we struggle 2m Chris Young:Think there's going to be money spent. Just needs a bit of patience at the moment. Lens and Lombaerts are going to be big money deals --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @Joecsmith11 tweeted: have we dropped interest in Van Dijk, Chris? Chris Young:Think the pursuit of Lombaerts suggests they've moved on from van Dijk. Lombaerts a more proven performer, van Dijk a big price tag and Celtic want to keep him until after the CL qualifiers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lex @lex1ngtons tweeted: so far we have been linked with 2 players who play in Russia and Ukraine. Are we really bringing in quality? Chris Young: When they're Dutch and Belgian internationals, you have to yes, they're quality. Don't underestimate how much money has been thrown at players to go and play in Russia / Ukraine --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @jonnypearce100 tweeted: Why isit #safc always beat about the bush trying to save a few £££ every transfer window, then endup losing out on the player Chris Young:It's all a game of poker. Don't think they'll miss out on Lombaerts / Lens. Just a case of agreeing a fee --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @daveyfenwick tweeted: is pantillimon going to be fit for start of the season or is the injury he sustained at Arsenal last season causing concern Chris Young:No I think he'll be fit for the start of the season. He's still not fit enough to play games, but he's doing light training. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @JATBailey tweeted: who realistically from the youth squads might get a look in. Surely Watmore needs a chance after a good summer? Chris Young: Watmore, Beadling and Pickford all travelling to North America, so that's a chance for them. Thought Beadling and Pickford showed a few nerves last night early on. But Watmore, particularly, needs to catch Dick's eye during this pre-season --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Stock @ziplock9000 tweeted: Who are the 2 imminent signings that are bigger and better deals? Chris Young:Lombaerts and Lens are the ones who I'd say are the closest. Boro looking favourites for Downing, although there's the small matter of agreeing a fee with West Ham. The Hammers want more than £5m --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would Downing be used in a central role like at West Ham if he was to be signed? Chris Young:Yeah I think the plan is for Downing to be more central and create. Did very well there at West Ham last season --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @bchapman123 tweeted: Did Adam Johnson have a good game yesterday? Chris Young:CY - Johnson was probably Sunderland's stand-out player, particularly in the second half. Giaccherini looked bright too. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can Giaccherini really make an impact in the Premier League after a couple of disappointing, albeit injury-hit, seasons? Chris Young:Would be nice for Dick to find a role for Giaccherini. Think he needs to be in an attacking central role, but it's giving him that platform --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @grantr_1964 tweeted: do you think SAFC will firstly attract&bring in a couple £12-14m + quality marquee signing(s) to inject some real class Chris Young:Think they'll be paying £6-10m for Lombaerts, Lens and Downing (if that one comes off). Those are the three priorities. Then will depend on circumstances. Maybe if a Fletcher is sold etc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do safc have a leg to stand on in the Ricky Alvarez row? Chris Young: Sunderland believe there's a case for breach of contract over Alvarez requiring surgery. They have a case. For FIFA to decide how strong that case is --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @lex1ngtons tweeted: Chris, we have had big problem scoring goals ever since the bent, gyan era. Do you expect a big money striker to come in? Chris Young:Clearly it's an area they need to boost after no-one scored more than 6 goals last season. Problem is they've got 4 on the books - Graham, Wickham, Defoe and Fletcher. Think ideally they'll be looking for Graham or Fletcher to go, with only 12 months left on deal. That way, gives them the room to bring someone in --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There were no quotes from Dick Advocaat after last night’s game. How come? Chris Young:Don't think Dick felt particularly chatty after his press conference the previous day --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @JATBailey tweeted: Pickford to no2 then, can’t see Mannone wanting to stay if second choice, unless he could recapture first season form? Chris Young: Mannone one is interesting. Think if Sunderland get a decent bid they'd sell. But then if there's the opportunity for Pickford to play in the Championship on loan, they could be equally tempted --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adam Matthews -first impressions of him? Always thought he looked a decent player at Celtic, with a bit of pace which, obviously has been a problem for Sunderland in recent seasons Chris Young:. He was steady away last night. Think he's one to keep an eye on during pre-season --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why did Bert van Lingen not come back with Dick? Chris Young:Bert has retired. More on that in tomorrow's Echo!
@nic_safc tweeted: When do you think the Lombaerts and Lens deals will be complete, Chris Young:Don't think they're a million miles away. Advocaat seemed thoroughly confident that there'd be significant progress by the time Sunderland get back from North America. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two inter-related questions @LukeHedley1996 asks: Any names for the creative midfielder we are after if Downing isn’t coming? Think Dembele would be a good fit. @safc25_john asks: Jordy Claisse an option if Downing move doesn’t materialise? Chris Young: Think it's been pretty obvious that Downing is their main target for creative midfielder role. Marco van Ginkel, at Chelsea, has been one they've looked at, but from what I understand, Dick isn't convinced he's the answer. He seems to be heading to Stoke now anyway. Likewise, Jordy Clasie is more suited to a deeper role, rather than being necessarily attack minded --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betting suspended with various bookmakers on a return to Leicester for ex-SAFC boss Martin O’Neill. What do you make of that? Chris Young:Surprised and not surprised over MoN talk. He was linked with Leicester prior to Pearson. But I think you'd have to have reservations over whether he's still got it after his Sunderland spell. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callum Mackay @calmackay90 tweeted: Why would we sign Downing? 31 y/o. £6-8m. 50k a week. 3 year contract at least. Always been inconsistent. No value for money Chris Young:Understandable reservations over Downing and some weight in that argument. But is he better than what Sunderland have got? Yes, no question. I'm surprised he's prepared to drop down into the Championship - even if it's Boro - at this stage of his career. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @_AlexJohnson95 asks: aside from the obvious targets (Lens, Lombaerts, Downing etc.) are SAFC interested in any other players? Chris Young:They're the three main ones. Telling that Dick said on Wednesday that he wants 3, maybe 4 more. If they get those three, then can look elsewhere maybe. Were linked with Stade Rennes winger Paul-Georges Ntep last night, but not sure on that one --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @DaveySama: How did Tom Beadling fair in yesterdays friendly? Chris Young:Looked nervy in the opening stages - got caught in possession a couple of times. But grew in composure as game wore on --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @Sunlunfan: Heard some talk of Super Kev returning to SoL on coaching staff.. Any truth? Chris Young:Not at the moment for Super Kev --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @grantr_1964 tweeted: my worry is although hope I’m wrong is we will not bring in sufficient quality to pull away from bottom 6- your thoughts? Chris Young:As Dick said himself last season, still need 4 players for me who immediately improve the pedigree of the starting XI. If they don't get them, or ones they get aren't up to it, then I'd agree they'll struggle to move away from bottom reaches of table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @bchapman123 tweeted: Do you think we’ll beat Newcastle Home and Away this season? Chris Young: Would be nice again, wouldn't it! Bit early to say on that one. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- southstand sid @stainsy19731973 tweeted: can you understand fans frustration when were trying to sign downing yet the mags are signing wijnaldum and mitrovic? Chris Young:Yes of course. But this happens among fans at both clubs each summer when they make big transfer moves. Have to judge business by start of season, or at end of the window. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @JamesBovill1: How likely is it that Fletcher will leave? Any other players likely to leave? Chris Young:Think Dick quite likes Fletcher, but with only a year left on contract, club will have to consider any suitable moves. He's vulnerable, as are likes of Bridcutt and Buckley. And he's made it crystal clear what he thinks of Vergini --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @lex1ngtons asks: has announcing dicks one yr contract meant players will find Safc not a good place to come and play football? Chris Young:CY - Not at all. Think Dick Advocaat is still a big pull for players, particularly for those on the Continent --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why are safc going all the way to California, but not, say, playing MLS teams? Chris Young:Think the California part of the leg is more about the training camp. Then they'll face the MLS outfit in Toronto. Even though Sacramento are not MLS, they're still halfway through their season so they should still be a test --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian LeBlanc @bdleblanc asks: When do you expect the club to start discussing a succession plan, assuming Dick isn’t going to make another u-turn next year? Chris Young: I would be astonished if the club were not looking at a succession plan already --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How did Dick Advocaat strike you at the first press conference of pre-season? Confident? Chris Young:Enthusiastic. Seemed to be relishing the prospect of putting his stamp on things without that noose of relegation hanging over proceedings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Brown got a new deal. Will he feature as much this season? Chris Young:No, I think Wes will be a bit-part back-up player. Would expect Coates / JOS and then probably Lombaerts to be first choice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you think John O’Shea will stay as captain? Lee Cattermole skippered the side last night and has been captain before Chris Youngossibly. Depends on how much JOS is involved. Could still remain club captain, as has happened previously with Bally and Zenden --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Was it a gamble signing Coates on permanent deal? Chris Young:Not at all for me. Showed he has the ability at the end of last season. And at £2m, that's not much of a gamble in today's market. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @JamesBovill1 asks the final question before Chris heads off for some California sunshine: Think Big Dick is likely to stick to his 433 or will he experiment more now that he has more time? Chris Young: 4-3-3 has been his preferred formation throughout his career. I know Sunderland played 4-4-2 last night, but there wasn't really much option due to those available. I expect Sunderland to be playing 4-3-3 by the end of pre-season
