Yann M’Vila has once again spoken of his love for Sunderland by admitting they are the only club for which he would drop out of top tier football.
M’Vila spent a year on loan at Sunderland in 2015/16 and was a key player in helping them escape relegation from the Premier League under Sam Allardyce.
He openly coveted a return to the club the following summer, but David Moyes had taken over their and he torpedoed any deal in favour of Didier Ndong, who was an embarrassing flop.
M’Vila has had a nomadic career since that has most recently seen him play in Greece for Olympiacos, but he is a free agent now.
Sunderland are clearly still a club very close to his heart though, and the 33-year-old says he still craves a Wearside return – and they are the only club who could get him to drop down a level.
“I spoke with a lot of Ligue 1 clubs, but I didn’t get the little thing,” M’Vila told Le Progres. “Given my qualities and my leadership, I think I can help a lot of teams. I believe in myself.
“I don’t need the money. I want to play. With all the respect I have for Ligue 2, I don’t see myself playing in this championship.
“There is only one club for which I would have agreed to return to the lower division for, it is Sunderland, to help them return to the Premier League. I had an extraordinary year there.
“I’m not just a footballer, I can help on and off the pitch, I know the moments of crisis. I am a reliable person. If you trust me, I’ll give it back to you a thousand times.”
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