Malbranque in Contract Talks

I'm over the moon about this, hope we can get it sorted.

Taken from today's Echo.


SUNDERLAND have opened contract talks with Steed Malbranque with a view to extending the 31-year-old’s stay at the Stadium of Light beyond next season.

The Belgian-born French international has enjoyed an Indian summer to his Sunderland career since Steve Bruce switched him from the right wing to the left at the back end of last season.

And he has flourished further in the current campaign, with the club often giving him a roving role in a five-man midfield – a tactic which proved particularly effective earlier in the season.

Now the club is looking to persuade Malbranque to commit himself to a new deal, with chairman Niall Quinn revealing tentative talks have already started.

“He’s a great asset, he’s got great skill and he’s someone we want with us,” said Quinn.

“When he gets that ball, he’s like a corkscrew, with the way he spins and twists.

“He’s got such great skill and it’s great for our fans that we have a player like that at the club and, hopefully, he’ll be here longer now.”

Malbranque was signed from Tottenham Hotspur by Roy Keane in 2008 as the Irishman looked to build a squad that could hold its own in the Premier League.

Supporters have enjoyed the midfielder’s silky skills and ability to pick a pass, but it looked for a while under Steve Bruce that he would be on his way out of the club.

The new manager was not initially convinced about the effectiveness of Malbranque or his commitment to the cause.

But a bust-up last year over the player breaking a curfew, for which he was fined, also led to clear-the-air talks which saw Malbranque regain his focus.

Some of his performances on the left wing since then have been dazzling

 

by all means keep him on board these are the type of players to move us on to the next level and it will give us time to rebuild

 

We're a better team when he is on the pitch, fantastic vision and awareness, just wish someone would tell him about Niqourette patches.

 

Apparently he tried them, but they kept going out. Coat!

 

Definately keep Steed.
He's exciting to watch and his little scowling face never changes expressions, I reckon if he scored a hat trick or broke both his legs he'd still look the same.

 

Really need to keep him. A great asset to the team, and a pleasure to watch.

 

a quality player for us and has another couple of season's in him certainly

just wish he would score a goal and soon maybe he might go on abit of a run, he scored a few in his time at Fulham and Spurs shame he hasn't managed to for us.

 

I'll never forget when he took the piss out of the Geordie, Milner when we played City at the SOL, megged him twice and the crowd went mad. Brilliant.

 

As far as I'm concerned, he's a legend already. I hope he ends his career with us which should give him a fair few more seasons.

 

I'm so pleased to hear this news. Steed is a fantastic player who certainly has 3 or 4 more seasons left in him. What he lacks in scoring ability, he more than makes up for in dribbling and passing ability. A quality player that we must keep hold of.

 

IMHO we aren't as good a team when he's not playing, and the STEEEEEEEEEEEED chorus is a tribute to the regard we all hold for him.

One concern though, would be his salary and remuneration package. We do have a salary cap and could be in danger of bursting through it.................. have YOU seen the price of a packet of Gitanes!!

 

Spot on mackemwelder
fantastic vision and awareness - he'll probably stick around for a coaching role going forward.