It says a lot about Sunderland when a player is happy to have escaped despite being stuck on the bench for his new club
The agent of former Sunderland flop Emanuele Giaccherini insists his client has no regrets about departing the Stadium of Light despite failing to break into the starting XI at Napoli this season, the Sunderland Echo reports.
The Italian international’s arrival on Wearside from Juventus in the summer of 2013 was viewed as a huge coup for a club who had traditionally struggled in the Premier League, especially after the energetic wideman’s excellent performances in his country’s Confederations Cup campaign just a few months prior appeared to put him out of their reach.
However, Giaccherini’s name was quickly added to a lost list of players who failed to fulfil early expectations at the Stadium of Light, his influential displays for Italy at Euro 2016 far removed from his brief appearences for Sunderland in the top flight.
Black Cats fans can take some shred of comfort in knowing that the 31-year-old has made just four appearences for Napoli since joining permanently this summer, but the player himself has no qualms about his exit, according to his agent.
“Giaccherini is fine, he is happy to stay in Naples,” claims Furio Valcareggi, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
“He wants to play and prove himself in training. There is not a shred of regret for our choice.
“This three-year period in Naples will be nice.”
Giaccherini made just 32 Premier League appearances in two years for Sunderland, his permanent departure this summer meaning the club lost £6.8 million on their initial investment, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Unfortunately for the Wearsiders, it’s a trend they’re used to seeing repeat itself on an annual basis. After all, it appears unlikely they will ever recoup the entirety of the hefty fees they paid for the likes of Papy Djilobodji or Didier N’Dong on current form.
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