Javier Manquillo put in his best performance in a Sunderland shirt as the Black Cats pulled off a shock 2-0 win at Hull City in the Premier League.
Of all the disastrous signings made by Sunderland in recent seasons, Javier Manquillo is far from the worst. For one, the Atletico Madrid loanee did not cost a single penny.
Yet, it is fair to say the Spanish right-back, like so many of the Stadium of Light imports during the last half decade, could leave Wearside having made so little impact you forgot he was even there.
According to The Chronicle, Manquillo is unlikely to return to Sunderland once his temporary deal from Atletico runs down. This is certainly no surprise, with manager David Moyes only trusting the 23-year-old with twelve Premier League starts all season.
Though, after the now-relegated Sunderland put in a vexing impressive performance to shatter Marco Silva’s unbeaten home record in a 2-0 win at Hull City, you wonder whether Moyes should perhaps hand Manquillo another chance.
Earned his stripes
The former Spain under-21 international, who has also endured forgettable loan spells at Liverpool and Marseille in recent seasons, was Sunderland’s best attacking outlet in the early exchanges at the KCom.
And this is despite lining up as a right-footed left-back. Furthermore, his three tackles demonstrated a solidity that Bryan Oviedo simply cannot provide.
Clearly, Manquillo has plenty of potential, his composure in possession, intelligent positioning and ability to get forward and support the attack ensuring that Atletico boss Diego Simeone remains patient and seemingly unwilling to sell.
However, as he helped Sunderland threatened to take Hull down with them, Manquillo did enough to suggest that Moyes should at least consider asking to take him for another season.
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