Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has commented on the future of Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson has told The Mirror that the club are vulnerable to losing players whilst the transfer window is open, but believes Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong are both up for the fight in the Championship.
The Black Cats registered their first league win under Grayson on Sunday, as two goals from Lewis Grabban and a strike from Aiden McGeady handed Sunderland a 3-1 victory at Norwich City.
With a 1-1 draw with Derby on the opening day of the Championship season and a 1-0 win at Bury in the Carabao Cup, Grayson has enjoyed an unbeaten start to competitive action as Sunderland boss, bringing some positivity back to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have been busy in the transfer market this summer having landed the likes of Grabban, McGeady, James Vaughan and Jason Steele, but some players have also left the club after Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League.
Jordan Pickford, Vito Mannone, Jeremain Lens, Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe are among the players to have left Sunderland this summer – and Grayson has admitted that more could come.
Grayson has told The Mirror that Sunderland are vulnerable to losing players whilst the transfer window remains open, but feels that players like Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong are still up for the fight of staying with the club in the Championship, and can earn moves away if they play well for the Black Cats.
“While people are still here, if they’re thinking about options to leave, play well and make that happen,” said Grayson. “Kone? I think he’s up for the fight. By the sounds of it and the way he has played, he has looked very comfortable and shown his true quality. That’s the same of Didier and all the rest of the lads as well. Ultimately it’s about what they’re doing while they’re contracted for us.”
“While the window is still open every club will be vulnerable to deals but also looking to do deals. We’re in the process of talking to clubs and that will be the case right up to the last minute. Martin Bain is dealing with the off the field stuff, and I’m concentrating on the games. I’ve got plans of x,y and z being here or not being here. You have to be one step ahead and aware of any eventuality. If we don’t lose any players, I’ll be more than happy, but you have to have plans in place in case something happens. While the window is still open, every club is vulnerable to players leaving,” he added.
Kone, 28, starred for Sunderland following a January 2016 move from Lorient, and whilst he struggled last season, he has still been linked with a move back to the Premier League, as The Sunderland Echo claim that West Brom and West Ham are both interested in the Ivorian.
Meanwhile, it’s unclear just who would be interested in Gabon international Ndong, but he does have some potential, and a season of playing regularly in the Championship could do him the world of good following his move from Lorient last summer.
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