The difference in MoN eyes for these two players seems varied... At least it put's an end to any speculation of Elmo playing this weekend.... SUNDERLANDâS two African players are facing very different futures on Wearside, with Martin OâNeill determined to hold on to star man Stephane Sessegnon but happy to let Ahmed Elmohamady miss the run-in, writes Graeme Anderson.There has been much speculation about the future of Sessegnon â a £6million signing from Paris St Germain who has dazzled with his skills at the Stadium of Light but is said to have problems with his family not wanting to settle on Wearside. Several stories have appeared in recent weeks suggesting he might leave Sunderland in the summer and such rumours could become a flood once it becomes open season for the media during the transfer window. But as far as OâNeill is concerned, he does not see the Benin internationalâs future as being an issue at the moment. âHe is playing brilliantly,â shrugged the Sunderland manager. âIâve read heâs unhappy the whole time, but he couldnât be happier, believe it or not. âI donât think he can play like that if heâs unhappy. Heâs in great form and Iâm sure I wonât stop the speculation, no matter what I try. âWe want to keep him at the club because heâs been pretty brilliant and I really couldnât say much more than that. âI donât want to come in here and tell you in April thereâs not a problem, then have you say in September, âOh, you did really well thereâ.â While OâNeill will fight tooth and nail to hang on to Sessegnon, the same cannot be said of Elmohamady, who has barely featured under his management and has now been allowed to link up with Egypt, who have friendlies against Nigeria, Angola and Iraq over the course of the next week. The manager has allowed the player to leave in order to improve his match fitness and Elmohamady welcomes the chance to be playing again after an extended spell spent warming the bench. âItâs a great chance to play in games and get myself into the selected squad for the national team,â he said. âIâve spoken with the manager and he welcomed the idea and gave me the permission to go and play some competitive games.â
i think elmo gets a lot of ****e (on this board) for no reason imo, he isnt the best player in the world but he is quick good in the air and he is only young. still can and probably will improve. we could do a lot worse then have him as a squad player imo..
I agree with this. He wasnt great under Bruce, but the same can be said for a few players. I hope fans dont get on his back if/when he is given a chance by MON.
Elmo wins headers, but doesn't direct them anywhere, he's quick, but the ball runs away from him. Not a lost cause mind, i'd maybe send him on loan till Christmas, and have a look at the situation then.
Good things said about Sess, he is happy and by the sounds of it enjoying his football. I am willing to be they are talking contracts at the moment ready to keep him. Lets face it if we can get him to re-sign at the end of the season it will keep the media speculation and the Arry's of this world quiet. I like Elmo but he just needs more end product a loan would be a good move for him.
Facts are the Elmos of the world are not top 8 prem players, if that is where we are heading.... If the club and the people want to move up a level, there is no place for sentiments............
As I said, Elmo did not look like a top 8 player under Bruce, but neither did a couple of other players. I would like to see Elmo now that he is being coached by MON (and/or his staff).
I remember when Elmo first signed for us, he got the official fans man of the match award in eight of his first ten games!
He might as well, a fair few of our players dont count towards the squad number as they are young. Might as well let MON judge him in the pre-season if not now. no point selling him at a loss.
The thing with top 8 players is that they want to play every week. Every top 8 team needs a squad, and not every player in that squad is going to be of the same quality as the starting 11. Elmo is a decent squad player at the moment, nothing more - although if he improves to be a top 8 starter, then fantastic.
Elmo (No 3), done brilliant for Egypt v Nigeria tonight!! [video=youtube;oFS6O7tj44g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oFS6O7tj44g[/video]
