Wantaway stars must earn keep
SIMON Grayson will not stand in the way of Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens if they are determined to leave Sunderland – but insists they will earn their pay as long as they remain on Wearside.
The duo – who each scored in the Black Cats’ 2-2 friendly draw at Hibernian yesterday – said over the summer they want to move on rather than stay and play in the Championship.
Dutch international forward Lens is keen on a return to Turkey, having been a hit while on loan with Fenerbahce last season, and looks certain to leave.
And Tunisia midfielder Khazri’s future is also shrouded in doubt having given an interview in France in the close season in which he said he did not want to play in the second tier.
Grayson only wants players at Sunderland who want to play for the club, but says Khazri and Lens will continue to be involved as long as they are under contract.
“While they’re still here and being paid as Sunderland players, they’ll be doing every session with the rest of the lads,” he said.
“They’re not out here for a jolly-up, they’ll earn their money.
“While they’re here, we’ll utilise them and if anything changes, so be it.
“Every player at every club has a price and you will be looking to see what is happening at different clubs, but while they’re here, they’ll do what’s required and do everything to try and get in the team for the first game of the season.
“Who knows what’s around the corner with any of the players?
“Somebody might come in and offer money for one of our players that nobody is talking about at the moment. “That’s just football. “[Everton’s Romelu] Lukaku goes for £75m when nobody really expected him to go to Man United.”
Khazri’s interview paved the way but many Sunderland fans would like to see him stay and his performances in the pre-season games against Bury and Hibs have proved that he has something to offer.
Grayson said: “He’s a talented player and that’s why he is at Sunderland and has played in the Premier League.
“Time will tell who will stay at the football club.”