Looking at Sunderland’s recent results, fans would most likely welcome many former players back to the Stadium of Light. The club are struggling to break into a playoff spot in League One, in their third season since being relegated from the Premier League in 2016/2017.
One player, in particular, that fans would welcome back is Vito Mannone. The Italian goalkeeper has just returned to Reading after being on loan to MLS side Minnesota United. Sunderland sold Manonne to Reading back in 2017 after being relegated for just £2.07 million. When Mannone retweeted a video of him saving a penalty for Sunderland against Manchester United, fans pleaded with the goalkeeper to return.
top guy
— Isaac (@safcisaac1) January 9, 2020
Thank you, Vito, for great memories. #ohvitomannone
— Daniel Polách (@DanielPolach) January 9, 2020
Goosebumps watching and remembering that night. Just wow
— Julie (@juliesund) January 9, 2020
I just got goosebumps watching that!…..oh Vito Mannone @VitoMannone88
— Darren Harker (@darren1harker) January 10, 2020
Come back Vito please
— SAFC (@GaryFTM) January 9, 2020
Do you think Sunderland would have avoided a second relegation is Mannone stayed?
Yes
No
One fan suggests that they would have avoided their second relegation if Mannone stayed.
We would still be in the Championship had Vito stayed and those two clowns not signed.
— Dan Whitehead (@roarvideouk) January 9, 2020
What do we think?
With Mannone currently playing for a Championship side, there is no reason the player couldn’t make a return to the Stadium of Light if Sunderland achieved promotion. But with how the Black Cats have been recently performing, that could be a tough task.