Former Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia is reportedly set to return to the North East with Sunderland.
WANT-AWAY Charles N’Zogbia has told Wigan he wants to link up with his former boss Steve Bruce at Sunderland.
A source close to the player said last night: “Charles feels he has to get away to further his career. He knows there is interest from several clubs but would prefer a move to Sunderland and play under Steve Bruce once again.
“Like Titus Bramble before him, he doesn’t think it would be a problem having played for Newcastle.”
But N’Zogbia, who joined Wigan from Newcastle 19 months ago, is keen to follow in the footsteps of ex-team-mates Lee Cattermole and, more recently, Bramble.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is resigned to selling but is holding out for £10m which is above Sunderland’s valuation of the player. (Daily Star)
Charles N’Zogbia was probably glad he didn’t play in the 0-4 defeat to Blackpool. After all, the Tangerines were widely predicted to be the Premier League’s whipping boys; a team who would get less points than the ill-fated Derby team of 2007-2008.
Instead, Blackpool showed a desire and belief that was far above their opposition – and played some excellent football in the process. N’Zogbia was not included in the matchday squad, with his manager Roberto Martinez deciding that if he was not committed to staying at the club, he would not be committed on the pitch.
Should he leave, Sunderland will have a talented player on their hands. Capable of beating a man, excellent delivery and in possession of a wicked shot, N’Zogbia would add flair to the Black Cats’ team, and could flourish under former boss Steve Bruce as Titus Bramble did before him.
Whether or not Sunderland fans will be happy with another former Newcastle player though, is a different matter.