Surely with the abmysal result that Sunderland had against Bolton, Sunderland's chances of avoiding relegation are slim to none. Technically it's not set in stone, they still could pull it off. But the reality is that anything short of a miracle, they'll be playing 1st division football next year. In fact, I would argue that's why the board canned Wilko now and went with McCarthy. They've conceded staying in the EPL and want to bring him in now to begin the process of reshaping the club. Quesiton - Where does Reyna go from here? What clubs are interested in him? It's hard to see how Sunderland will be able to afford to keep him given their financial situation. Maybe they could pull it off. Leicester have been able to hold onto Muzzy Izzet. The Tractor boys still have Matt Holand and Marcus Bent despite their financial pinch. So I wouldn't say that they will sell Reyna no matter what. Nevertheless, chances are it will happen. So who will buy him? Will Tottenham look to strengthen their midfield (Freund gone, Poyet 35+, Davies possibly sold in the summer)? What about Portsmouth when they come up?
Sky sports talked with Reyna, and he said he thought McCarthy was a good choice and looking forward to coming back. I think that Reyna would want some time for recovery (game-condition) and playing in the First Division, should the Mackems go down, wouldn't be so bad. Plus, if he leads Sunderland to a runaway lead in the First Division, a Premiership might pay some money for him and he would be back in the top flight in no time.
I could be way off base, but don't relegated Premiership teams still get Premiership television money for like one or two seasons to help them gain promotion? If that's true then Sunderland should be able to afford Reyna next season. If it's false I'm a troll that doesn't do his research.
The question is how much does Reyna like being at Sunderland/playing for Mick McCarthy. The reason Matt Holland is still at Ipswich is because he wants to be there, and he has rejected moves to EPL clubs. Reyna will be cheap because he is coming off an injury, and Sunderland aren't going to haggle too much over any bid that comes their way. I think for his price, there will be plenty of clubs inquiring about him. Ulmo: There is some kind of aid to relegated clubs, but it is not enough for most clubs. Sunderland have offered players to Rangers because they are having problems making payments for Flo so I doubt Sunderland are ready for more than a one year stint in the 1st division.
This is the biggest variable of all. Reyna ain't getting sold unless they jettison him for peanuts to to a team that wants to take a chance on a 29 year old player coming back from a serious knee injury.
Reyna said that because that is what he had to say. He is a good guy so he can't come out and say that he isn't going to play for McCarthy or say that he doesn't want to come back. I would like to see him move up, but I doubt that a club would pay much for him.
Reyna is simply too good a player to play in Division I. Sunderland is a horrible club with only one or two quality players. Their playing style is real sh_t. Reyna can do a lot better. It's time for Reyna to shop himself around. Don't believe all the "McCarthy is class" talk. Reyna is not dumb. He won't bite the hand that feeds him, but he must surely be looking for a new home.
I am not a big Reyna fan, but I would like to see him go to Spain. I think he would do well there, and it would be a excellent way to get a good payday for him. Might be nice fit at Athletico Madrid. I'm sure he and Mr. Gil could have some nice chats...Reyna and his injury, Gil and his prison term.
Reyna and Tugay are more comprable. Who knows, with Andy Cole, Sukur, Yorke and Matt Jansen maybe Souness will go with 3 up front. But I doubt it for a few reasons.
He had Tugay on the bench in Glasgow,why not do it down south? I don't doubt that Reyna can find an EPL club, it will simply depend on what S'land will let him go for (and how badly they need out from under his wages.) First thing first, tho. That's getting back to game fitness. Might we see him in a few USMNT games to show his stuff?
From the Guardian online "It turns out that Kevin Phillips, Thomas Sorensen, Claudio Reyna and Emerson Thome will all be sold when Sunderland's relegation is signed, sealed and stamped in the next few weeks." Its not from the club, but its close enough.
The Links I followed up the quote and thought I'd post a link here (Rumours for Monday, March 17): http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/ The Guardian's Rumours section actually quotes PlanetFootball.com: http://www.planetfootball.com/artic...8&title=McCarthy+set+to+lose+Sunderland+stars I really hope Claudio lands someplace good...