ROWELL: KHAZRI CONUNDRUM HAS ME BEAT

From day one of this campaign, there has been so much that has gone wrong and one thing I just don’t understand is the situation involving Wahbi Khazri.

Just over 12 months ago, Sam Allardyce brought him to the club and immediately he added something a bit different to the team, becoming an important figure in Sunderland’s survival.

I immediately thought – and still do – that he is a player with a touch of class about him and his set pieces brought another dimension to the team, something sadly lacking this season.

So that is why I am baffled that a player like that has been virtually ignored by a team that has struggled badly and is crying out for some quality.

Even with an injury list that has gone on forever, he has been way down the pecking order, spending most of the time sitting on the bench.

That is why I was convinced he would leave in January and was surprised it didn’t happen.

Perhaps his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations complicated things, but he was linked with a couple of Spanish La Liga clubs and I don’t think there are too many in our squad who would catch the eye of top Spanish outfits.

One of my highlights from last season was his volley against Chelsea – goal of the season for me – that showed his technique and ability and I thought this season that he would get even better but he has never had a run in the team.

Maybe he hasn’t shown the same application or attitude this season and if that is the case then he deserves to be benched as when you are looking on from the outside you never really know what is going on. But I always get frustrated when there is a talent that could help Sunderland but for whatever reason is wasted.

The Khazri situation shows how quickly you can go from hero to zero in this game, but who knows – maybe it is not too late for him to make his mark in what is left of this season.