Sunderland have been urged not to ‘gamble’ on Yann M’Vila in January.
Sunderland’s options in midfield have looked sparse this season, with Corry Evans yet to return from an injury that has kept him sidelined for the past 12 months.
Jay Matete was also out of action since pre-season, making his first appearance on the bench during the defeat to Ipswich Town.
With Pierre Ekwah really struggling to impress in recent weeks and Chris Rigg not really getting a sniff of first-team action, Sunderland fans have been hopeful that the club will invest in a new, experienced midfielder to bolster their ranks.
While there had been very little talk of a fresh face coming in in the first couple of weeks of the January window, Yann M’Vila’s name has now resurfaced as a possible target for the Black Cats.
Yann M’Vila became a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light for his highly successful loan spell with the club during the 2015-16 season, before Sunderland opted against signing him permanently – much to the player and the supporters’ frustration.
Recent reports have now claimed that Sunderland could go back in for the Frenchman though, after he was released by Olympiacos in the summer.
The links had sent social media into frenzy, with M’Vila also liking an Instagram post that mentioned a potential return to Wearside.
While fans are clearly very excited about the news, pundit Carlton Palmer has admitted he’s not quite as convinced.
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “I always worry about taking a player in January who has been without a club since the summer.
“Yes, he’s available on a free, yes he ticks the boxes for experience, but how long is it going to take to get up to speed?
“19 games left and Sunderland sit in the last place in the top six, on the same point as Coventry.
“They need someone with experience who can hit the ground running – Mick in my opinion cannot afford to take that gamble on a player that hasn’t played a game since the end of last season, even though he would be a popular choice for the supporters.”
Should we take a gamble on Yann M’Vila?
Yann M’Vila hasn’t played in a while, but are we really going to have the chance to bring in a player of that quality to the Championship again?
If the 33-year-old can get back up to speed then there is no reason (bar having Michael Beale at the helm) why he can’t help us push back into the play-off spots.
Sunderland desperately need a midfielder and we don’t seem to be prepared to cough up the cash, so M’Vila seems like the perfect addition for all parties.
The relationship between the player and fans is undeniable and may well be the only thing to add a bit of positivity to the city during Beale’s tenure.
Timothee Pembele hadn’t played senior football in nine months when he finally made his debut in December, but we aren’t throwing him under the bus already.
It may be a risk, but it should be a risk we are willing to take at this point. We are dangerously close to throwing everything we have worked for away.