Should Giaccherini remain on Wearside after Italy display?

Emanuele Giaccherini reminded everyone why Italian head coach Antonio Conte sees him as key to his national side’s midfield, with his goal against Belgium in Euro 2016.

However, curiously, it also highlighted a lingering mystery – why has it never really worked out for the diminutive midfield playmaker on Wearside?

The Azzurri star is currently on loan at Serie A side Bologna and had recently drifted away from the consciousness of Sunderland supporters - out of site, out of mind you might say.

Giaccherini signed for Sunderland from Juventus in the summer of 2013 and there was great fanfare regarding his arrival at the time. At last the Black Cats attracted a creative midfielder, an Italian international and someone from a team considered to be a huge European giant. Things were on the up, or so it seemed.

Looking back though I’m not sure Giaccherini’s lack of success at Sunderland can be put down to one specific reason. Certainly injuries blighted some of the time that the 31-year-old midfielder on Wearside subsequently limiting his appearances. Sadly, although Giaccherini won consecutive titles in Turin, he only played 8 Premier League games for the Rokermen in 2014/15.

Of course, the then head coach, Gus Poyet, believed Giaccherini was only capable of performing in specific types games and wasn’t able to compete in a physical battle, further reducing his game time.

In fairness, Giaccherini’s skills have revealed themselves in short teasing displays. Perhaps his most outstanding goal for the Black Cats was in 2014 against Arsenal with a low volley from distance. However, unfortunately remembering a match where he fully dictated the play isn’t an easy task. He also came on as a substitute, in Sunderland’s League Cup Final at Wembley but was unsuccessful in making any meaningful impact. And that, for an experienced international bringing with him some significant reputation, is poor.

So, where does all this leave Giaccherini and Sunderland now? Well, if he has a solid tournament at the Euro’s you get the sense that even at 31, Big Sam will want to take a look at him during the Black Cats pre-season. At least by assessing the Italian international himself, Big Sam can better understand just how Giaccherini could potentially fit into his thinking before deciding whether to sell or not. Perhaps he could be deployed in the role that Stuart Downing enjoyed so much under Allardyce when they were with West Ham?

Either way, at worst, Giaccherini’s performances at the Euros may add value to any sale and boost the Black Cats’ coffers a little more. At best Big Sam could save time and money by realising the creative central midfielder he requires is already on Sunderland’s books.