Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has revealed the reasoning behind leaving Jeremain Lens out of the Black Cat’s squad that faced Chelsea at the weekend and lost 3-1.
‘Big Sam’ offered just one work when explaining the Dutchman’s absence “Disciplinary”. This obviously means that Lens has been doing something wrong behind the scenes and was not deemed worthy of a place in the squad, regardless of his on the pitch talents.
Sunderland are in a precarious position at the moment; in the bottom three and a squad of players whose poor footballing performances are being reflected in their outside life as well.
The club have already been rocked by the allegations surrounding Adam Johnson this year and now it looks like Lens is next to follow the bad suit with his off-field proclivities. Lens’ attitude has been poor since arriving on Wearside in the summer for £8-million with a poor return of just two goals. The Dutchman has subsequently lost his starting spot since Sam Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat at Sunderland in October.
Allardyce spoke about his need to up his work rate last month, it appears that Lens did not listen:
I think what Jeremain has to do overall, like they all have to do, is to lift his level up in terms of work-rate.
