“Reports over the weekend linked the midfielder with a return – and his signing would certainly bolster what’s often been a problem position” writes Phil West.
While Yann M’Vila remains a beloved figure among our fanbase, my personal connection with his time at Sunderland has always been somewhat mixed. It’s not due to any shortcomings on his part, but rather, it’s about how things looked at the Stadium of Light during his last stint with us, which now feels like a distant memory. Since then, our fortunes have dramatically declined, hit rock bottom, and slowly started to improve. The seven-year gap seems much longer than it actually is.
Yann M’Vila was always an elegant presence in a Sunderland jersey, displaying athleticism, strength, and skill with the ball. He was undeniably a rare success story during our recent Premier League tenure’s waning days. His passing ability was outstanding, and he rarely lost physical battles. He seemed to relish the challenge of playing for Sunderland.
When Sam Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat in 2015/2016, M’Vila excelled with a series of outstanding performances that eventually secured our Premier League survival. He was, as they say, very much an ‘Allardyce player,’ and it was a perfect fit at the time.
However, our club’s downward spiral gained momentum shortly after, and the pursuit of M’Vila during the summer of 2016, with emotional social media posts and all, was perhaps an unnecessary distraction as we transitioned from Allardyce to David Moyes, a period that ended in disaster the following May.
Nevertheless, the affection for M’Vila persisted, and there was a familiar sense of excitement when he was linked with a return to Wearside. Both ourselves and West Bromwich Albion were rumored suitors, with Carlos Corberan’s familiarity with the midfielder from their time in Greece and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ French connections seemingly coming into play as we explore the possibility of bolstering our midfield.
Could the dream reunion become a reality? Could the fans’ favorite wear the red and white stripes once again after seven years and contribute to another top-six challenge?
At thirty-three, M’Vila likely still has enough in the tank to be a force at this level, and he would bring much-needed experience and quality to the squad. While a recent poll indicated overwhelming support for his return, personally, I would be surprised if it happened. However, this is Sunderland, and in our world, you can’t rule anything out.
First and foremost, his return would address a noticeable weakness in our squad, which could be crucial to our hopes this season. Although Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah have formed an exciting midfield partnership, with Corry Evans and Jay Matete still recovering and Jobe’s workload needing careful management, we lack depth in the midfield, and M’Vila’s return would certainly help fill that gap.
A midfield trio of Neil, Ekwah, and M’Vila is a scenario that most coaches at this level would dream of, and M’Vila’s qualities would surely appeal to Tony Mowbray, just as they did to Allardyce.
However, practical considerations such as wages and playing time come into play, which can temper the romantic notion. Would M’Vila demand a wage that doesn’t align with our current structure? Would he only consider a return if he were assured of a starting role and not expected to fit into a rotational system?
These are valid concerns, and they make the possibility of his return seem less likely. Currently, Sunderland’s focus is on developing and nurturing talent rather than signing big names. Bringing M’Vila back would be a deviation from our model, even if he is a talented footballer that many supporters desire to see back in our colors.
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