Sunderland need to sell Wahbi Khazri this summer but did he impress in Tunisia’s 2-1 World Cup defeat to England on Monday?
Sunderland fans would have been watching England’s World Cup opener on Monday night from a very odd perspective.
While obviously cheering on Gareth Southgate’s merry men, the Black Cats faithful could be forgiven for hoping Wahbi Khazri knocked in a consolation at the other end. After all, the Black Cats are hoping to sell the Tunisian talisman this summer and a couple of eye-catching performances in Russia will only increase his market value.
Perhaps unfortunately for Sunderland, then, Khazri was far from influential as England snatched a dramatic late win thanks to a Harry Kane header with minutes remaining. He was on the periphery throughout, outshone by a number of his less vaunted Tunisian team-mates.
So it is unlikely that anyone would be willing to pay big for Khazri on this evidence. So Sunderland supporters will be praying that their Stadium of Light outcast can replicate the form he showed at Rennes during a loan spell last season in the final two group games against Belgium and Panama.
Khazri, who cost £9 million but was oddly omitted by David Moyes during Sunderland’s Premier League relegation season, scored nine goals in 23 Ligue 1 starts in 2017/18.
Sunderland, and Tunisia, need him to find that spark again.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
