Régis Le Bris praises Kyril Louis-Dreyfus after Malick Fofana deal and gives Brentford selection hint
Régis Le Bris has praised Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ role in the Malick Fofana deal and hinted at his plans for Brentford.
Régis Le Bris believes Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ personal involvement in Sunderland’s deadline-day move for Malick Fofana underlined the level of commitment running through the club.
The Black Cats eventually completed a £31million deal for the Lyon winger after a dramatic late battle for his signature, with Crystal Palace attempting to take Fofana to Selhurst Park instead. Louis-Dreyfus travelled to Lyon himself as Sunderland pushed to get the transfer over the line, with Fofana eventually completing his move before arriving on Wearside on Wednesday.
Asked about the chairman’s role in the deal, Le Bris pointed to the willingness of everyone at Sunderland to do what was required when the stakes were highest. “The most important point in this question is the commitment of everyone at this level of the club,” he said. “It shows that when you have to make a difference, you have this option, and it was just natural to go all the way.”
Fofana trained with his new teammates for the first time on Thursday and has already made a strong impression on Sunderland’s head coach. Le Bris stopped short of confirming whether the Belgium international, or any of Sunderland’s other deadline-day additions, would be involved against Brentford this weekend, responding simply: “We’ll see”.
There is little doubt, though, that Fofana has been recruited to become an important part of Sunderland’s attacking plans. “I think his profile suits what we need,” said Sunderland's boss at his press conference on Thursday. Good in one-v-one, strong personality to go again even if it’s difficult, combines well, he’s committed defensively, so he’s an exciting profile.
“We need talented players, and I think his proven experience at that level will help with this characteristic of young players. They don’t care about the market, they don’t care about the transfer window. When they are in, they are all in with us. He arrived yesterday, settled down quickly, and trained with us this morning. He already looks part of the group, and will give everything for Sunderland.”
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Fofana was the most eye-catching of Sunderland’s late additions, but he was not the only significant arrival. Kevin Danso joined from Tottenham to strengthen Le Bris’ defensive options, while teenage striker Juan Riquelme Angulo Caicedo was also brought in to provide further depth through the middle. Le Bris believes Angulo Caicedo is well suited to the role of developing behind Sunderland’s more established forwards while remaining capable of contributing when opportunities arrive.
“He will fill this third striker position,” said Le Bris of the teenage frontman. I think it’s important to match the demand of this position. You have to be an underdog, be patient, but also with the potential to play because it’s important with the different competitions we will have. Kevin has authority, physicality, leadership. He’s a great player. And in this position, in the centre-back position, it’s important to have this experience and this composure.”