Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is confident new signing Bolo Zenden can still make a major impact in the Barclays Premier League.
The 33-year-old former Holland international made his debut for the club as a substitute in last Saturday's 1-0 victory over Liverpool just a day after signing a contract until the end of the season.
The Dutchman was used during the early part of his career as a left winger, but Bruce now sees him as a central midfielder and Bruce said: "He can play in both [positions], but he has still got fantastic energy for someone of his age. "He will give us that little bit of experience and also around the dressing room with the younger lads too, he is everything I hoped he would be."
He added: "He is technically very, very good - you don't play for Barcelona and Liverpool and Marseille and Chelsea and all of those teams if you haven't got really good ability. That was never in question.
"That bit of experience, that bit of know-how is very welcome. He is an intelligent boy."
Zenden's arrival could hardly have been more timely with summer signing Lee Cattermole facing at least three months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.
He was introduced for the first time in a red and white shirt after Cattermole had been carried off on a stretcher with the injury which will keep him out until well into the new year.
Zenden and teenager Jordan Henderson will now compete for the vacant berth alongside skipper Lorik Cana as the Black Cats attempt to build on their impressive start to the season.
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BOLO ZENDEN IS NOT IN THE FANTASY GAME!! PLEASE PUT HIM IN!! HES GOING TO BE A VERY KEY PLAYER NEXT WEEK AGAINST WEST HAM!
WHY ISNT BOLO ZENDEN IN THE FANTASY GAME?????pLEASE PUT HIM IN AT A VERY CHEAP PRICE!!! I REALLY NEED HIM!!!!!!!! THANKYOU FANTASY!!!
Zenden will do a good job for us and he can be assisted by J Henderson to fill the role in Midfield that has been left by Cattermoles injury
downy, You are right Arsenal were in for Cana, as i understand it talks broke down when it came to wages. Im not suggesting that Sunderland are now bigger wage payers than Arsenal but in this instance someone at SOL could obviously see he was worth it.
I doubt that Cana will be easily tempted away. He came to SoL because he wanted to be a part of what Steve Bruce told him he wanted to do. Will he be with a big club next season? Yes he will - because he, and players like him will make Sunderland into a big club! Stepping stone? Yes, these players are our stepping stones to the top! Tony, have yourself a nice glass of Coca Cola and lie down!
Downy
The price to take Cana away from the stadium of light would have to be in Double figures, and as you rightly say no-one knows other than Bruce and Cana as to if he would go or stay. I, like you, would prefer him to remain and become an SAFC legend and mentor to the younger players.
Oh Tonnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy....Cana is from HARRODS you berk......lol...oh yeah, FACT!
Arsenal have been sniffing around Cana for a couple of seasons, now they've seen what he can do they may come in with a bid, who knows, but Bruce took the gamble with him and if any loyalty (which i doubt) remains in the game he'll stay and become an SAFC legend.
FTM
Strange, Tony K I seem to remember the skunks I know drooling over their so called star signings. Where are they now ? Oh thats right stepping stones...................
You really should engage your brain before starting to type pal, you really are quite stupid.
If Cana really is as good as you lot are drooling, then he will be off at the end of the season to a proper club. The words stepping stone spring to mind. Remember Tevez and Mascherano at west ham? Once they got their foot in the premier league door they were off like a shot to bigger clubs..........
Signing of the decade more like, Hope he can pas some knowledge onto the younger lads in the team
Lorik Cana - signing of the summer?
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