http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...land-chance-if-vito-mannone-is-sold-1-7299559 Homegrown Sunderland prospect Jordan Pickford is earmarked to provide the back-up to Costel Pantilimon, if Vito Mannone leaves the Stadium of Light. There are big question marks over Mannone’s Sunderland future this summer just 12 months after the Italian was crowned the club’s Player of the Season. "Sunderland will NOT be in the market for another stopper even if Mannone does leave the Stadium of Light" It is understood that Sunderland have received several enquiries over Mannone’s availability over recent weeks and the Black Cats could be prepared to sell if the price is right. Mannone, who has another two years to run on his Sunderland contract, is thought to be keen to play regular first-team football, rather than remaining as a bit-part player, as he was at former club Arsenal. There was speculation over the weekend that Sunderland could make a move for England international stopper Rob Green after QPR’s relegation from the Premier League last season. But Sunderland will NOT be in the market for another stopper even if Mannone does leave the Stadium of Light. It is thought that academy product Pickford will be given his chance as the club’s number two goalkeeper by head coach Dick Advocaat, to allow the 21-year-old to continue his progress. Pickford, who has been part of the England Under-20 side at the Toulon tournament, is very highly-rated by the club’s coaching staff and after loan spells at League One and Two outfits Bradford, Carlisle and Burton over the last two seasons, he will now become part of the first-team squad. Sunderland believe Washington-born Pickford can provide adequate cover for Pantilimon and eventually compete for the number one spot. But at present, Pantilimon is very much regarded as the club’s first-choice stopper after excelling since ousting Mannone, following last summer’s Bosman move from Manchester City. Mannone had begun the season as number one, but lost his place to Pantilimon last November and was then restricted to just four subsequent first-team appearances - only one of which was in the Premier League. Pantilimon, meanwhile, kept 11 clean sheets from 28 Premier League starts. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Happy that some of the youth are starting to come through! Watmore and Pickford this year, hopefully Agnew and Honeyman as well Never know, might have a similar effect to Southampton's young'uns
This is great news. It shows the faith Dick will have in the young'uns. Expect to see him in the cup games.
Mannone deserves to be a number 1, but you can't drop pants currrently, if Vito goes I wish him all the best, he was fantastic for us last year and showed everyone what he can do
Good news for Pickford and will encourage some of the others. Any fee we get for Vito will be profit and a reduced wage bill.
Spot on mate. It's a shame cos Vito was fantastic for us, met him a few times and he is a smashing fella as well. Facts are he's too good to sit on the bench for a club of our current status. I just hope should the lad leave he gets a great move, cos he deserves it. Great for young Pickford though, like all, I'll be delighted to see some more breakthroughs from the youths.
Aye, makes you think where Mannone might be if he had left arsenal a few years earlier. With pickford given the nod, and hopefully watmore too, it gives a lot of encouragement to the youth team
Costel Pantilimon (28 years) was one of the best goalkeepers season Premier League and one of the best players fromSunderland, who saved the team from relegation in-extremis under the command of Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. Unfortunately, Pantilimon could not help the national team in Northern Ireland because it suffered an injury that does not allow to force: "It's a very serious injury, but healing takes time. I'm very sorry that I can not together with my colleagues to be national, especially in this moment. We know very well that's a very important match, I could say that is decisive, but it's a game that can give us the chance to be qualified for the tournament in proportion 70%, " said the keeper from Bacau,LIVE and exclusive on Digi Sport Special. Pantilimon feels great to Sunderland and welcomes every day of the decision to leave Manchester City: "We wanted to play more and I chose to go to that club. As we have said all along, thank the soul for the opportunity, but I would like to thank those of Sunderland, which gave me a great chance to play for this club. I think as I said! It's normal to want more, but I want to take it slowly. At the moment I am very happy for what happened this year, it's a good thing for me that I wanted: to play consistently, to be part of a good team. Dick Advocaat was able to give us confidence at a time when they are suffering from this point of view, and that was seen in our results, " said the Romanian goalkeeper. http://www.digisport.ro/Sport/FOTBA... mai ramane cel putin un sezon la Sunderland Sounds to me like he's not letting the hype get to him and he wants to stay
****ing hell Costel is decent though isn't he. No matter what happens, we'll be alright with Costel. Remember his debut in the cup v Stoke he was ****ing awful, but he was incredible over the season, effortless, probably even better than Vito the season before. We've done alright on keepers last few years.
