Sunderland see no fitness concerns over Malick Fofana after ankle lay-off | OneFootball

According to NY Times, Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi says there are no fitness concerns over £30 million ($41m) deadline-day signing Malick Fofana. The 21-year-old Belgian winger missed almost five months of last season at Lyon with a right-ankle injury.

The issue resurfaced in the final 24 hours of the window as Crystal Palace entered the race, with new manager Pierre Sage having worked with Fofana at Lyon. With time short, the clubs arranged a joint medical in France and both had private jets on standby. After initially agreeing to join Sunderland, Fofana briefly pivoted to Palace following talks with Sage, then chose Wearside once medical and financial details came to the fore.

Fofana came off the bench at Brentford on Saturday, then started Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Hull City. He played 79 minutes in the 1-0 home win.

Ghisolfi said Sunderland won this head-to-head with Palace this time, though they may lose another. He added the club have no doubts about Fofana physically or mentally, while accepting Palace had their own position to protect. He acknowledged deadline-day wrangling reflects poorly on the game and said the episode underlined the club’s alignment, as manager Regis Le Bris has stressed.

He also praised Fofana’s character and said the winger will fit at Sunderland 100 per cent.

Tuesday’s winner came from fellow winger Chemsdine Talbi, who had been the subject of speculation after his omission from the Europa League squad. Ghisolfi called that decision painful and insisted Talbi will stay with Sunderland 100 per cent.

Sunderland host champions Arsenal on Saturday night. They open their Europa League campaign next Wednesday at home to AZ, their first UEFA appearance since 1973.

Source: NY Times

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