Midfielder Wahbi Khazri has been reflecting on his time at on Sunderland, contrasting the various styles of manager he played under at the Stadium of Light, and says he expects to return to Wearside next summer. In an interview with French newspaper Sud Ouest, the Tunisian playmaker says he remains proud of his initial spell on Wearside in which the Black Cats escaped relegation under Sam Allardyce, reflects on being left out of the side under David Moyes and has criticised Sunderland’s style of play under Simon Grayson. In the wake of Grayson’s sacking on Tuesday night, Khazri suggests the recently departed Sunderland manager employed too many long-balls and only picked those players he favoured. Khazri joined Stade Rennais on loan at the end of the transfer window after impressing for Sunderland in pre-season then barely featured under Grayson as the Black Cats began their Championship campaign. Without an automatic option to make the move a permanent one, the 26-year-old will be duty bound to return to the Stadium of Light next summer. Sam Allardyce signed Khazri for a fee thought to have been worth around £8m in January 2016 and the player proved to be an instant hit on Wearside, scoring some crucial goals to help keep the Black Cats in the Premier League. please log in to view this image Khazri talking to French TV Khazri’s current side, Stade Rennais, endured a poor start to their Ligue One campaign after splashing the cash in the summer but have posted victories in their last two games in the absence of the Sunderland-owned man who missed out through suspension. The Brittany-based outfit host Khazri’s former club Bordeaux tomorrow night, with the Tunisian suggesting rumours that coach Christian Gourcuff was about to be axed have galvanised the squad. Here’s what he said... On his first spell under Sam Allardyce & staying up... Initially, it was going well. I really enjoyed myself. Many people were pessimistic about surviving. But I had the confidence of Sam Allardyce. He made me play. The team had great matches. We managed to maintain ourselves and I am proud to have contributed to that. On being left out of the side by Moyes... Allardyce gave way to David Moyes. The latter left me aside, he felt that I did not have the qualities to play in his team ... And we were relegated. On this season & the plight of Sunderland in the Championship... And this season, it was hardly better with Simon Grayson. He advocated the typical game of the Second Division, with long balls. He played the players he knew. [Sunderland are] 22nd out of 24, it's complicated for them ... It does not matter, I will play in Ligue 1! For now, I do not think, because I have enough trouble here with Rennes. I have to be efficient. I am Sunderland because I belong to this club. I hope they will get out of this situation. But my concern today is Rennes, because I need to be good for the club I wear. On the future... I did not play much for Sunderland, I needed to find play time. I'm only on loan, I'll go back there next season. And finally, on which was his most important, the goal v Chelsea or Manchester United... The one against Chelsea, without hesitation. It was the match where we were behind 2-1 at the break. We scored twice in a row in the second period, to win 3-2 in front of 40,000 people. On that match, there was a lot of pressure because of the threat of relegation. It was quite extraordinary at this level.
Short memory, most of Sam's stay was up and under hoof ball and bore draws. Like the managers before who'd saved us, we only started playing football until the last half dozen or so games where any mistakes would mean certain relegation. As for Moyes, he wasn't fancied, but he wasn't bothered about proving a point when he did come on so I think it's safe to say he wasn't bothered in Training. Weak arse defeatist attitude imo, think go wrong and he spits the dummy and cries on. As for Grayson, two mangers out of three not rating him tells it's own story. The lad lacks hunger and drive to right what he perceives as wrong. Last thing I want in a relegation battle, a fat lazy heartless bastard. **** him, I don't want him back, Turns out to be another terrible signing we'll no doubt lose money on.
Never mind Lens...... "Boom Boom Boom Boom" Whoa oh whoa oh Whoa oh whoa oh Vengaboys are back in town Whoa oh whoa oh Whoa oh whoa oh Whoa oh whoa oh Whoa oh whoa oh If you're alone and you need a friend Someone to make you forget your problems Just come along baby Take my hand I'll be your lover tonight [Pre-chorus:] Whoa oh whoa oh This is what I wanna do Whoa oh whoa oh Let's have some fun Whoa oh whoa oh One on one just me and you Whoa oh whoa oh [Chorus:] Boom boom boom boom I want you in my room Let's spend the night together From now until forever Boom boom boom boom I wanna double boom Let's spend the night together Together in my room Whoa oh whoa oh Everybody get on down Whoa oh whoa oh Vengaboys are back in town [Pre-chorus] [Chorus x3] Woooo! Woooo woooo! Woooo! Woooo woooo! Woooo! Woooo woooo! Woooo! Woooo woooo! Whoa oh whoa oh Woooo woooo! Whoa oh whoa oh Woooo woooo! Whoa oh whoa oh Woooo woooo! Whoa oh whoa oh [Chorus x2]
Khazri was a great player to have in your team when things are going well, but the last person you need when things are not. Such "luxury" players are an indulgence and we cant afford to even contemplate his return. I quite like this league and hope we stay in it, but you need a fix now and again, got mine last night watching the Euro's. The noisey neighbours turned on the style, wonder if Tel was impressed .
Khazri Lens and Borini all out of favour at their loan teams. Lens and Khazri will be back in July to pick their 40k pw up for a month. I've read and I hope it's true that Borini has already activated the clause in his Milan deal to make that one permanent. I'd expect Djilobodji to be back too :-/
Yep, he’s a first choice at the minute has been for a few weeks now. Khazri has been suspended, and Lens has played 7 of 12 games, after missing 3 with a hammy....
I just watched the Milan game and he was shockingly out of position throughout, even when Musacchio was screaming and pointing at him where to cover. Must have been a bad day as he’s being bogged up in Italy.
Well surely Lens, Borini, Djiliobodjigadgi and Khazri would totally walk League One... In his defence here he was asked direct questions about his parent club and answered them without much controversy really. Nothing extra to stick the boot in for on this occasion.
Disappointed to hear this. I thought defense was imprinted into Italian DNA. Without recovery pace, a would-be FB won't be given long to figure things out.
Just one game mate, like I say he’s been getting rave reviews. He was too far forward all game though and was pulling the 3 at the back all over to cover. They managed to keep a clean sheet, in the main cos the Greeks were dog **** going forward.
When I heard he made the switch - I was pretty optimistic - still hoping. What game was he involved in? I'll try to catch the replay.
