Milan fixture a riposte to Magpies, says Le Bris
Regis Le Bris has said Sunderland’s forthcoming trip to Milan in the Europa League is “a symbol” of the club’s upward trajectory. For many years Newcastle fans have taunted their local rivals with chants of “You’ll never see a Mackem in Milan” and, after arriving from Brittany two years ago, Le Bris swiftly learned that St James’ Park regulars regarded themselves as distinctly superior to Sunderland supporters.
Now, though, the tables have turned and Le Bris is enjoying the moment. Sunderland’s manager agreed that it seemed somehow appropriate that the first fixture involving his team to be drawn in Monaco on Friday featured a trip to San Siro.
“To get back in Europe with this fixture, it’s a symbol,” said Le Bris, whose side finished seventh in the Premier League last season after beating Newcastle home and away. “It’s iconic. Milan is a massive club and it’s a massive story.
“I’m aware of it [the Newcastle fans’ Milan jibes], but I want to speak more about us. We are proud to be in Sunderland and our fans deserve to be in this position. It’s [going to be] a huge experience and we are very proud to be part of it but we want to be efficient. We want to be competitive in the Europa League.”
As Sunderland fans began ordering T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with the message “Mackem in Milan” to wear in northern Italy, Le Bris seemed delighted that three players, goalkeeper Robin Roefs, winger Romaine Mundle and the forward Wilson Isidor have signed new long term contracts at the Stadium of Light.
“They see their future in Sunderland because they trust the club and like the environment and they trust the ambition of the club,” said a manager whose side will also face AZ, Dinamo Zagreb, Levski Sofia and Jagiellonia at the Stadium of Light and Anderlecht, Lech Poznan and Torreense away in the Europa League.
Le Bris, whose team are at home to Fulham on Sunday, declined to comment on Sunderland’s attempt to sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City but it is believed the former England winger is now most likely to re-join Everton.
Sunderland, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a right winger and a striker this summer. “I trust the recruitment staff,” said Le Bris. “We are well aligned about the targets we need to make the team better and I still think that we will succeed in the transfer market.” Louise Taylor
Gonzalez ‘a smart player with huge potential’
Matthias Jaissle is convinced new arrival Nico González will not take long to hit the ground running following his big-money arrival from Manchester City. The Spaniard could make his Newcastle debut on Saturday at Tottenham following a move from City that could rise to £52m this week, with the head coach excited by the 24-year-old’s ceiling.
“He trained with us and he looks sharp,” Jaissle said. “It will take time [to adapt] and I can not tell you how long it takes but he’s a smart player, he has huge potential and already brings so much quality in the squad. He will adapt fast into our way of playing and then we can enjoy.”
Jaissle is hopeful that Gonzalez will not be the last player through the door at St James’ Park in this summer’s window, with the Belgium wideman Matias Fernandez-Pardo tipped to move to Tyneside from Lille. “It’s the first message of the morning – to push,” Jaissle said. “The management and Ross [Wilson], the sporting director, they’re doing an amazing job, trying everything. “We want to be smart, we don’t want to act in panic, so I’m really optimistic things will happen.” PA Media
Glasner wants to bolster squad after Delap deal
Oliver Glasner expects more signings at Nottingham Forest following the arrival of the striker Liam Delap. The 23-year-old joined from Chelsea for a club-record £45m fee on Thursday, and Glasner plans to make further additions before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Glasner would not comment on a reported £22m Forest offer for his former Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz, but the Austrian did admit prospective deals were close to completion. “I think we will add two players,” Glasner said before Saturday’s trip to Liverpool and on the back of home league and Carabao Cup defeats to Leeds.
“One we have added, that means we will have at least one more signing. Close deals, quite close to be done, but now from today our focus is on the Liverpool match. That is the most important thing in the next 30 hours and then we have three more days to get the deals over the line.”
Delap left Chelsea after scoring only two goals in all competitions following his move from Ipswich last summer, and was made to train away from the first-team squad by new Blues manager Xabi Alonso. Glasner said: “It is clear you have to look for a club where you have better chances to get minutes and reignite your career, and that is why we think we are the right club for him.” PA Media
O’Neil not finished in transfer market
Gary O’Neil has insisted Ipswich are not finished in the transfer window after another busy week at the Premier League newcomers. Argentina international and World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios arrived at Portman Road on Thursday in the latest big-money move secured by the Suffolk club.
Talks remain ongoing with the Aston Vila forward Tammy Abraham, who is yet to make a decision on whether to join on a season-long loan, it is understood, but O’Neil is hopeful more can occur in the coming days.
Before Sunday’s trip to Manchester United, O’Neil told a press conference: “No, nothing to report on that [Abraham move]. We’re hopefully not finished. We’re still trying to do some business. As to who that is or what positions that will be in, there’s no update from me.
“We’re still working hard to try and improve the group, but my focus now is firmly on the game at the weekend and making sure that we’re fully prepared for what is going to be an incredibly tough test.”
Ipswich could have Florentino Luis involved at Old Trafford and Palacios is set to make his debut. Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor remain sidelined. PA Media
United must wait for Baleba debut
Michael Carrick has confirmed “really exciting” addition Carlos Baleba will be unable to make his Manchester United debut for around three weeks due to an ankle injury.
Following the summer arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, United further bolstered their midfield by completing the £70m signing of the 22-year-old from Brighton on Tuesday. United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, hailed Baleba as “an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further” but fans will have to wait to see him play for the club.
The Cameroon international arrived at Old Trafford with an ankle injury, which Carrick says will rule him out of Sunday’s Premier League home opener against promoted Ipswich and beyond. “He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks,” Carrick said. “We’ll see but we knew that before, so it’s no major issue but it’ll be great to have him back when we can.”
Asked if Baleba and Amad Diallo, another injured player, could return before the new three-week international break, the United manager said: “It’s obviously new, the break to deal with, but we’ll wait and see. We’re hopeful but I don’t want to put any deadlines on it just yet. Amad won’t be involved this week. He’ll be out for a little bit longer. Mase [Mason Mount] is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that’s a big positive for us.” PA Media
