Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says that the number one keeper at Sunderland at the moment is still Vito Mannone.
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says that the number one keeper at Sunderland at the moment is still Vito Mannone.
Costel Pantilimon was sold to Watford earlier this week and with Jordan Pickford making his league debut for the side in last week’s defeat at Tottenham, it was rumoured that the youngster would be taking over as first choice keeper.
Seems that is not so, even though Pickford is highly thought of at the club it will still be the experience of Mannone that keeps the older man at number one.
Allardyce was speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s game against Bournemouth and when asked if Pickford had taken over the number one spot he said: ‘No, Vito. On the basis of his game against Arsenal, I thought it would be good to put Pickford in rather than wait too long, put him in after a good game against Arsenal to see what he could do in the Premier League, but then assure Vito that for the time being he is number one and will continue to be number one until such time as his performances don’t acquire that position.
‘It’s up to him now. He’s waited long and patiently for the chance to re-establish himself as number one.’
Mannone will be called upon to keep goal against Bournemouth on Saturday.
