When David Moyes took over at Sunderland, we all wondered who his first signing would be.
Was he ready to raid former club Manchester United for Adnan Januzaj, who played some of the best football of his fledgling career under the Scotsman?
Or might be go back to Real Sociedad for one of their stars? Former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, perhaps?
So a big well done to any of you who had Chelsea reject Papy Djilobodji in the Moyesey signing sweepstakes.
Welcome to Sunderland @papydjilo15 #hawaythelads 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/m086eRLHar
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 5, 2016
We didn’t see much of Djilobodji at Chelsea last season, partly because – shortly after signing him – Jose Mourinho decided there was no room for the centre-back in his Champions League squad.
He played a grand total of one competitive minute in a Chelsea shirt, coming on as a late substitute for Radamel Falcao in the 4-1 League Cup victory over Walsall, before spending the second half of last season on loan to Werder Bremen.
The Senegal international might have a song about him, but that’s probably the one thing most Blues fans remember about the largely anonymous defender.
Is he what Sunderland need? Based on his record in England so far, the answer is ‘it’s literally impossible for anyone to know’.
Has that stopped fans passing on their expert opinions? What do you think?
Still, for every bit of criticism…
https://twitter.com/CarefreeDaily/status/761659956617674752
There’s some positivity.
https://twitter.com/SAFCPolls/status/761660171403878400
Sure, some of it has been a bit sarcastic…
https://twitter.com/SibsMUFC/status/761660186805370881
Or demanding…
Announce Januzaj
— Playoffs SZN – Glazers Out (@DaleyBlindFC) August 5, 2016
Or straw-clutching…
https://twitter.com/Vaacif/status/761666489355268096
Or, on occasion, brutally honest.
@Summers2541 @WhiteEddy_83 that was quick….. lol…. nee idea who this fucker is like
— michael porter (@portztley87) August 5, 2016
We’re looking forward to Djilobodji making his Premier League debut, a full year after coming to the league. With Lamine Kone winning more fans by the day, fans might be able to enjoy watching their club for a full season, having changed managers earlier than usual.
Impressive how Sunderland manage to have the same season year on year.
— Nozza_ (@Nozza_) February 15, 2015