The defender joined on loan from Manchester City on deadline day of the transfer window.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Sunderland manager David Moyes has told the club’s official website he intends to play three centre-backs at times following the capture of Jason Denayer.
The defender joined from Manchester City on deadline day of the summer transfer window, signing a season-long loan deal with the Black Cats.
He arrives to add much-needed competition to Moyes’ defence, which lost one of last season’s star men, Younes Kaboul, after he left to join Watford.
Manchester City’s Jason Denayer
Signing Denayer now means that Moyes has four centre-backs at his disposal, and he says he will now be playing three at the back as a result.
“We brought in Jason, who can play centre-half, he can play full-back – they speak incredibly highly of him at Celtic,” he told the club’s official website.
“He was interesting to us, because I don’t think having Kone, Djilobodji, and O’Shea was enough to get us through the season. I also wanted him because he gives me the flexibility to play three at the back, which I will do at times.”
Sunderland’s Younes Kaboul acknowledges fans after the game
It will now be interesting to see if Moyes opts for a back three more often than not across the season.
While he was often criticised, the relationship that Kaboul built with Lamine Kone was crucial to them avoiding relegation last season.
His departure has left a huge hole in the defence as a result and with questions over Papy Djilobodji, perhaps switching to a back three would be a wise move for the Scot.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
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