Wahbi Khazri made a huge impact at Sunderland under Sam Allardyce but could he have the same impact at Crystal Palace?
Just 12 months after three of Sunderland’s most inspired signings in recent memory arrived on Wearside and played major roles in yet another Great Escape sequel, it appears that they are all edging towards the exit at the Stadium of Light.
The injury issues that blighted Jan Kirchhoff’s Bayern Munich career means he is unlikely to earn a new contract beyond the end of the season while highly-priced centre-back Lamine Kone appears certain to be handed another Premier League opportunity despite appearing both uninterested and incapable at times this season.
And, finally, play-maker Wahbi Khazri is also set to depart with Sunderland heading for the second tier, The Chronicle reports. The Tunisian, arguably the most naturally creative player in a blunt Black Cats’ attack, has spent most of the season bafflingly frozen out by manager David Moyes.
However, if there is one manager who does believe in his abilities, it is the man who brought him to Wearside in January last year.
Sam Allardyce told the Daily Mail that he hoped the £9 million former Bordeaux winger could replicate the influence of Bolton legend Jay-Jay Okocha upon his Sunderland team.
Khazri’s cutting edge
And while Khazri has not exactly spawned endless nostalgic YouTube montages, it is clear that his creativity and ability to produce something out of nothing gave Sunderland that much-needed cutting edge in the final weeks of the season.
Therefore, you wonder whether Allardyce could offer Khazri a Premier League lifeline at his current club, Crystal Palace. The Eagles have soared intermittently since his appointment but after three defeats in a row without scoring a single goal, they are now just four points above the drop with three games to go.
Furthermore, with Wilfried Zaha courted by the Premier League’s biggest and brightest, Palace may be in need of more attacking verve.
And though Okocha is unavailable to Allardyce, Khazri may not be.
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