Mensah Wants To Join Sunderland Permanently

Talented but injury-prone Ghanaian national team center-back John Mensah is hoping to make a permanent switch to English Premier League side Sunderland.

The 27 year old Olympique Lyon-owned defender spent last season on loan with Sunderland, making 16 appearances and scoring one goal. Despite struggling with calf injuries throughout the season, Mensah made a positive impression on fellow teammates and the coaching staff.

"I swear when I went there, I did my best," said Mensah at PUMA’s African Unity Experience Event in Paris. "I played hard and I played my heart out for the team."

After having an inconsistent first season with Lyon due to battling several injuries, Mensah was sent to Sunderland to play regularly and regain confidence. The positive atmosphere at the team aided him in returning to the form that awarded him French Footballer of the Year by France Football while playing for Rennes. He also believes that Steve Bruce is the best manager he has ever played for.

"Sunderland makes me happy. They make it possible to stay happy there as a footballer," said Mensah. "They just helped me to understand that when I am injured I should still stay happy. When I am injured, I am not so happy at all. My head is down and I think, 'Why does this happen to me?' They told me that I shouldn't keep my head down, I should keep it up, enjoy myself and when I come back to feel my confidence.

"I've never met such a good manager before. I have played with many managers before but Steve Bruce is a very good coach. I hope to also stay and work with him."

According to the Ghanaian defender, Bruce's feelings are mutual. Mensah knows that any move will have to be determined by his current team, Lyon, but hopes that the French team will allow him to move permanently. He also thinks the good will between the teams will work in his favor.

"Bruce has a good relationship with me because he knows the work I do," said Mensah. "Manager asked me to stay for next season for them in Sunderland again. It depends on Lyon. I trust that Sunderland wants me to stay, I also hope to play for them [again].

"We all know in football, it isn’t always easy to change teams. It depends on the team that you are on but actually right now they [Lyon] are actually happy with Sunderland."