Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has expressed his desire to keep hold of controversial Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens after the Dutchman has appeared to have turned a corner at the Stadium of Light.
Summer signing Lens had an excellent performance, possibly his best in a Sunderland shirt, in Saturday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round as he scored his third goal for the Black Cats.
He’s one of the most expensive players we’ve bought in recent years, so you’ve got to ask that player to live up to that reputation. Some of the skills and ability he showed on Saturday were very encouraging – he scored and looked very strong.
It was only last month that Lens’ future with Sunderland was in doubt after the winger publicly spoke of his disappointment and frustration to be excluded from his side’s squad as they lost 3-1 to Chelsea as well as his inconsistent game time under new manager Allardyce.
The experienced English manager admitted at the time that he would listen to any potential suitors regarding the 28-year-old, but since his recall to the Sunderland side, the £13 million man has gradually increased in form.
We haven’t had any interest in Jeremain from anybody else, so I would want him to be a big part of what we’re trying to do to get out of the trouble we’re in.
Could the Netherlands international be the man to turn Sunderland’s season around?
