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Traoré opens up on his late Sunderland move, a failed first attempt and the culture that surprised him
Bertrand Traoré has revealed how his summer move to Sunderland came together at the very last moment – and how it wasn’t the first time he came close to joining the club.
The Burkina Faso international, who left Ajax late in the window to sign for Régis Le Bris’ side, explained that there was no hesitation once the opportunity arose. “No, when I got the call, I was already in the national team. So I didn't hesitate even one second,” Traoré said.
“So it was OK for me. It was a normal decision for me to join this team. I was following the Premier League and I saw they were already doing good at the start. So it was a good opportunity for me. And then, yeah, to leave Ajax and the Champions League, come to a club such a club. It's a big club. They have been struggling for the last few years. And then now they're back in the top flight and they're doing well. And then, yeah, I want to be part of this.
“And then I also like challenges. So this is one of the big challenges we have this season. Of course, the aim is to stay here, but we want to have more. So we need to be, of course, humble, but also be angry to do more. Because we have a lot of good players and also the top staff around to do well in this season.”
The winger also praised the atmosphere he has found since arriving on Wearside, hailing the togetherness within the squad and the influence of captain Granit Xhaka. “I knew the names of the players before; some I have faced in the past. But to be honest, I was surprised about the quality of the players and the atmosphere around the team,” he said. “And also the quality of the work from the whole staff. So it's really fantastic.
“And then Granit is one of the best captains I've had in my career so far. He always has the right words, always has the right attitude and mentality. So he transferred this to all the players and the dressing room and on the pitch. So it's been brilliant for all of us this season so far. So we hope we will continue like this.”
Traoré confirmed that his decision to move was made swiftly once contact was established between Sunderland and Ajax. “My agent, of course, and then the directors. They contacted my agent, Ajax, and then I got the call,” he explained. “So it was a quick decision for me. I said, yeah, of course I want it. And it was on the last day that we moved forward. So yeah, I was happy to be there.”
The former Chelsea and Aston Villa man also revealed that Sunderland had been on his radar for several years after a previous transfer fell through earlier in his career. “Yeah, to be honest, I had the chance to join Sunderland a few years ago when I was still playing for Chelsea,” he admitted. “Then I chose to go to Ajax, and now it's the second time the chance came back to me and I was happy to join this club.
“I know about the fans. Our personality is the whole city of Sunderland. So it's nice to be part of this big club. Yeah, I would say they've been in my mind all this time. But at some point, I had contact with Sunderland when I was younger, but it didn't happen. And then it happened the second time it happened. So I'm happy to wear the colours of Sunderland.”
Looking ahead, Traoré believes the current squad has the quality and mentality to make a real impact in the Premier League. “No, we have to stay humble and keep our work rate,” he said. “And then keep doing what we have been doing since the beginning of the season. And then I believe we have the quality enough in the team to achieve good things. So yeah, we just have to keep our feet on the ground and keep doing the right thing. As I said, take game after game, and then we can achieve good things this season.”
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Traoré and Sunderland face Arsenal next, with the Black Cats aiming to extend their unbeaten home run and continue their remarkable start to life back in the Premier League. The Wearsiders are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League with 18 points from 10 games.
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