'Yann M'Vila's heart wasn’t in it' - BBC pundits deliver interesting assessment on Sunderland stint

Sunderland were afforded a cheeky mention as Olympiakos faced Manchester City in Champions League action on Wednesday night.
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The Greek side’s starting XI included former Black Cats man Yan M’Vila, who turned out at the Stadium of Light on loan from Rennes during the 2015/16 season.

The Frenchman played in 37 of Sunderland’s 38 Premier League games as a turbulent campaign ended with Sam Allardyce keeping the club in the top-flight with stunning victories against Newcastle United, Everton, Norwich City and Manchester United and Chelsea.

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M’Vila struck up an effective partnership with long-time servant Lee Cattermole and January signing Jan Kirchhoff – with the trio providing a solid platform in the middle of the park.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01:  Yann M'Vila of Sunderland salutes the travelling fans after  the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Goodison Park on November 1, 2015 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01:  Yann M'Vila of Sunderland salutes the travelling fans after  the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Goodison Park on November 1, 2015 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Yann M'Vila of Sunderland salutes the travelling fans after the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Goodison Park on November 1, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

That led the one-time Inter Milan loanee to become a fans’ favourite, with supporters desperate for the combative midfielder to return on a permanent deal during a long-running transfer saga the following summer.

But it wasn’t to be!

However, whilst covering Manchester City-Olympiakos for BBC Radio 5 Live, commentator Conor McNamara and former player Pat Nevin had a different take on M’Vila’s time at Sunderland.

“Yann M’Vila, by the way, who joined from St Etienne in September for Olympiakos,” McNamara said. “I remember watching him when he had his year with Sunderland.

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“It was five seasons ago now, I think it’s fair to say, and I don’t think this is too harsh, but Yann M’Vila’s heart wasn’t in it with Sunderland.

“I remember watching him and he’d play these passes, if a teammate didn’t get onto it, he’d give a shrug and say, ‘well, I played the pass, what are you going to do?’”

"That was my abiding memory of him.”

Former Chelsea hero Nevin added: “Yeah, there are particular clubs, particularly up in the North East where you kind of have to put the effort in, don’t you?

“The fans are expecting it, you know? Maybe he’ll enjoy it more now with the fans not being there.

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"Certainly, a box-to-box hard-working midfielder working for his team for 90 minutes wasn’t always the case.”

Manchester City ran out winners against Olympiakos in Greece with Phil Foden bagging the only goal of the game.