Reinildo ‘ready to give it all’ as Sunderland verdict delivered – Exclusive
This article includes exclusive comment from The Athletic’s La Liga expert, Dermot Corrigan.
Reinildo made the move from Atletico Madrid to Sunderland this summer.
With the news of an agreement for Granit Xhaka swirling, and the already completed club-record deal to sign Habib Diarra, the arrival of Reinildo has somewhat gone under the radar at the Stadium of Light.
The veteran defender made the move to Wearside on a free transfer, following his exit from Atletico Madrid, where he featured over 100 times.
Now, he’s looking to make his mark on the Premier League, in what could be a major coup for Regis Le Bris’ side.
Sunderland are getting a pro in Reinildo
To feature over 100 times in a Diego Simeone side is a testament to the type of player that Reinildo is, and the type of player that Sunderland are getting.
He is set to become the first-ever player in Premier League history to represent Mozambique, with The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan providing the lowdown on the Black Cats’ recent arrival.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “Reinildo was generally popular for his commitment to the team – a defender who could always be relied upon to give 100 per cent effort, who really got stuck in and showed the determination and aggression that Simeone and many Atletico fans love.
“But also, he had made some high-profile mistakes and was generally not seen as a regular starter when everybody was fit.
“Personally, I’ve always thought his best position was on the left of a back three. He’s not quite commanding enough to be one of the CBs in a straight back four. And he’s maybe a bit technically limited to play left-back, especially in a team which has lots of possession.
| Reinildo | Times played |
| Left-back | 161 |
| Centre-back | 33 |
| Left midfield | 22 |
“That ability, though, to play in different positions was very useful to Simeone, who often changes team shape during games depending on the situation.
“Atletico fans were impressed at how he quickly recovered from that injury, and was also supporting his teammates from the sidelines while he was out.
“Reinildo is a super committed guy – a strong presence on the pitch and in the dressing room. He will also have learned a lot about the art of defending from working so long under Simeone, including winning a La Liga title.
“He’s a good guy to have alongside you in a battle, which maybe Sunderland will need next year as they step up to the Premier League.”
Le Bris has a seasoned pro with Reinildo
If there is one thing to be concerned about with the current squad, it is the lack of experience within it.
Reinildo will have a huge influence on that, as will Xhaka if his move to Wearside gets finalised in the coming days.
Sunderland’s recruitment has certainly raised eyebrows this summer, with plenty more expected.
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