Jeremain Lens: Dick Advocaat reunion at Sunderland a boost

The 27-year-old winger brings a wealth of talent and experience, and if his former boss Advocaat can get the best out of Lens, just as he did during his spell in charge of PSV Eindhoven when Dutch worldwide scored 34 goals in 96 appearances, then Sunderland could have an astute signing.

After transferring to Sunderland from Dynamo Kyiv over the summer, Lens wasted no time getting on the score sheet, providing an excellent ball to the head of Steven Fletcher for the team’s second goal.

“I’m very happy to be a Sunderland player”.

It’s far too early to make any judgements, of course, but Dick Advocaat had briefly decided to retire as a manager before the promise of a decent transfer budget convinced him to do a U-turn. That is important because they know what I want and the way I work. They had a lot of players who lost cars, houses, everything there, because it was just one day and everybody needed to go.

“I am very excited after deciding to come back”.

“It is important we both think the same about players”. The players from the clubs in the east, for example Shakhtar Donetesk, they had to move immediately.

“They have some very good players, but now because the rouble is going down, the players are starting to leave”.

‘Kiev was a good place to live when I first signed, but after six months the political situation changed and war broke out with Russia, ‘ explains Lens, who learned Russian during his two years in Ukraine.

Many had thought that Advocaat’s Tyne and Wear swansong was over, as he was always insistent that he would end his managerial career at the Stadium of Light.

I don’t have a good feeling for them at the moment after what’s happened with the sacking of Nigel Pearson.

“Lens is not the only one I am excited by”. “You can see it as a fighting mentality and that I hate to lose, ‘ he says with a smile”.

“When he was 21-22, he was playing for the French national team already”.

A lack of match fitness will see M’Vila sit out today’s Premier League opener at Leicester City, with the midfielder pencilled in to feature for the Under-21s in tomorrow’s Eppleton CW clash against Norwich City (2pm kick-off).