Régis Le Bris
Sunderland have been encouraged by club legend Kevin Phillips to finalize a permanent transfer for Lutsharel Geertruida. The Dutch defender initially joined the Premier League newcomers on loan from RB Leipzig during the summer, with an option-to-buy clause included in the agreement. Despite his versatility, Geertruida has found it challenging to secure a regular starting position at the Stadium of Light.
Kevin Phillips said: “He’s proved he can play in numerous positions and he certainly hasn’t let the club down. Considering the speculation in January, he nearly left the football club and for him to put that to one side and continue to play and perform for the club without letting that affect him just shows you what the player is about. He’s got great abilities. The biggest thing is he can play in various positions. We’ve seen that already this season.”
Regis Le Bris said: “We had many conversations with Lutsha. It’s not always easy to tell a player he won’t start. He came a bit late in our journey in the Premier League and the others played well. They generated their momentum and it’s hard to break, even if you’re a really good player. He has the 11th [most] game time in the squad, which shows that he’s involved, but not often in one specific position. It’s a strength in one way because he’s really versatile. He’s always useful for the manager and the squad. If you need one player in the left-centre-back position, he will do it. Right-back, he will do it. Six after Granit [Xhaka], because Granit is not available, he can do it. He can play as a right-winger. He did it often at the end of the game. It’s really important. At the same time, when you are not allocated in a specific position, you might say that we don’t trust him, which is not the case. It’s a specific journey and now it’s the right timing for him to stay in the squad. I think the first step at Bournemouth was good. Now he needs to keep going.”
Geertruida’s adaptability has been both a blessing and a challenge for Sunderland. While his ability to fill multiple roles adds depth to the squad, it has also meant he has not been able to cement a place in the starting eleven. Despite this, both Phillips and Le Bris acknowledge his value to the team. Phillips highlighted Geertruida’s professionalism and ability to perform under speculation, while Le Bris emphasized the player’s versatility as a crucial asset. As Sunderland continues their campaign in the Premier League, securing Geertruida permanently could provide the squad with a reliable and flexible option for various positions.
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