- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Premier League trio Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham are watching Pierre Ekwah closely with the former West Ham United youngster thriving at Sunderland.
Earlier this week, HITC Football reported that Birmingham City were in talks to hire Tony Mowbray as their new manager following the sacking of Wayne Rooney.
St Andrews is home to a host of exciting up-and-comers, and Jordan James and co will be enthused by Mowbray’s superb track record when it comes to coaxing career-best performances out of promising but previously unproven talent, including Pierre Ekwah.
Signed from West Ham 12 months ago, the technically-gifted midfielder went from strength to strength under Mowbray at Sunderland prior to the 60-year-old’s departure in December. So much so that a host of Premier League clubs are now weighing up whether to offer Ekwah a second stab at life in the top flight.
Sunderland facing Pierre Ekwah battle
HITC Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey understands that Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham are among those who have watched Ekwah closely in recent weeks.
The 21-year-old, capped by France at youth level, idolises Les Bleus legend Zinedine Zidane. He obviously has a long way to go to match Zidane’s remarkable achievements in the game, with Ekwah needing to add the physicality to the technique which marked the Real Madrid icon as one of the most complete midfielders in the modern game.
“I keep telling him that, if he can develop that physical aspect of his game, then what a footballer we’ve got,” Mowbray told The Chronicle in May.
“(Ekwah) can do amazing things with his feet. He’s so clever with his feet. You can see how fast his feet are, and he can see pictures.
“He’s a good footballer. So if he can just add the off-the-ball stuff, then he’ll be even better. He’s doing exceptionally well.
“He’s a young boy who had never played a professional game before coming to Sunderland. He’d had a lot of U23 football, but you can see the talent and the physicality that he’s got.”
Big FA Cup tie upcoming for Sunderland
Sunderland, who face bitter rivals Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round this weekend, will hope to retain Ekwah’s services beyond the January deadline.
That could be easier said than done, however, with a host of clubs ready to test the Black Cats’ resolve.
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