Latest news with #MarcoGabbiadini
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Henderson, Mount & Delap: Gabbiadini on Sunderland transfers
Marco Gabbiadini has joined the list of Sunderland pundits pushing for Jordan Henderson to return to his boyhood club following the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League. The former striker told BBC Radio Newcastle, "He must be doing okay because he's still in the England squad, isn't he? I haven't seen any film or anything, but he must be doing alright if they're watching him and he's got picked in the next England squad. "It would be a sort of a fairy tale, wouldn't it? And it does happen sometimes," he added. "He's been an outstanding player. He's gone on to be one of the best players in the country at times and win the top trophies, so I think he probably would be an asset. It probably goes a little bit against what the club is all about at the moment, but maybe they will make some exceptions for when we get in the top flight."When asked about realistic options Sunderland could sign this summer, Gabbiadini struggled because of the unknown approach sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will take. Will they continue showing faith in youth, or will Kyril Louis-Dreyfus dig deep into his wealth to try to lure stars to the Stadium of Light? He said: "I think we might be looking for players if we are going to spend - and this is the big question - someone like Mason Mount at Man United, who they've got such a turnover of players and huge numbers and they're looking to change that again this year. "He's a player who's got massive potential, I think. Maybe he hasn't fully reached it. Those kinds of players would be great for us."Sunderland have been the youngest side in the Championship this season and are likely to repeat that feat in the Premier League next season but Gabbiadini would push for some veterans to join the ranks. "Obviously, Mepham's got some Premier League experience. You would think at the back we're not too bad, but I think an influential midfielder and somebody who's a goalscorer, whether that's a 10 or a striker. Obviously we've got Le Fee on a permanent deal now as well.""I think the lad Delap is decent as well if he wanted to stay in the Premier League, but it looks like he's going to get a shot at one of the big clubs, isn't it?"We see it with so many young English players. They go to a Chelsea and you don't see them for a couple of years. "Mason Mount's probably had some injury problems as well, but it's a big group. When you come back from injury, you've got a lot of players in front of you. It does make a lot of sense to me to come to a club where you will start." Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'I can understand the Germany connection'
Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to Germany this summer. Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga. "He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half. "Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants. "I can understand the Germany connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc. "It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'I can understand the Germany connection'
Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to Germany this summer. Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga. "He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half. "Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants. "I can understand the Germany connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc. "It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Not on the team sheet... from outcast to Sunderland hero
Few people turning up at Wembley for the Championship play-off final would have had Sunderland's Tommy Watson down as the less so after scanning through the team list in the official programme... Watson's name was not even on anomaly comes from the fact the 19-year-old signed for Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion last month ahead of next season in a £10m place in the top flight was assured regardless of what happened in the final, unlike that of his boyhood with his low curling effort in the 95th minute securing an unforgettable comeback win over Sheffield United, he has written a glorious chapter in the entire history of the Black Cats to end their eight-year exile from the top flight. 'Squad accepted he was still our player' What is also remarkable is that in the first home game at the Stadium of Light last month after the deal was announced, Watson was booed by some fans in light of his pending move to the south Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini described that response as "brainless", but there is no doubt that Watson has had the last laugh in a way that nobody will ever his 22nd and final game for the club and with only his third goal - the two others came against Stoke City in December - Watson delivered in the grandest head coach Regis Le Bris, the key thing was that the squad had no issue with Watson still being involved in these crucial last few weeks. "It was probably a tough decision for him, but it was clear in our mind and his mind that he was still a player of Sunderland," Le Bris said."The group, the squad accepted this decision as well, knowing that he is a good player and that he can help and we don't know what can happen and he had his opportunity this afternoon." Watson admits that the end of the season has been difficult but he delivered a champagne moment that will be remembered for a lifetime."After the last few weeks, I've been dreaming of that moment," he told BBC Radio Newcastle."I'm really happy that it's going to end positively and this monster of a club is back where it belongs."It's been tough, but I've learned so much from it. I knew something like that could happen. So I'm just buzzing." Watson is the latest of a string of graduates from the club's Academy of Light to make the first team, with Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson and Chris Rigg all in the starting former alumni include England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who was in the crowd to see his hometown club win production line has been a successful one for Sunderland with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman at the forefront of pushing this youthful of the final, he had said that promotion would vindicate the model that Sunderland had chosen in trying to regain their top flight while Watson's goal will not change his own departure, it may have ensured that players including Rigg, Neil and Jobe Bellingham can shine in the Premier League with Sunderland and not elsewhere.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'The biggest night of Le Bris' career'
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says the Black Cats' second-leg of their play-off tie against Coventry City will be the "biggest night" of boss Regis Le Bris' career. Prior to heading to the north east of England, Le Bris' only other first-team management experience was two years with French side Lorient, guiding them to 10th in Ligue One during his first season but suffering relegation in his second. "How could he not be excited? He's going to play in front of two full crowds," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Coventry have got good support, we are going to have an amazing atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. It's just what you do the job for. "Tuesday night at home, it's probably one of the biggest nights of his career." However, BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes says that Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard will be leaning on his own big-game experiences - something Le Bris has less of. As a player, Lampard made 106 appearances for England and won three Premier League titles with Chelsea, while as a head coach he took Derby County to the Championship play-offs in 2019 and has managed in the Champions League. "Frank Lampard's a former England international and he's been in this situation how many times with England, with Chelsea, with whoever," Barnes said. "Regis Le Bris has never been in this situation before as a manager and there's a psychology going on there in the dressing rooms. "Frank Lampard will use that experience, without question." Listen to the full episode and more on the Total Sport podcast.
