Roker Roundup: Bryan Oviedo questioned on his Sunderland future again as new club are linked

Oviedo non-committal on future

Bryan Oviedo was again linked with Club Brugge recently, with the Belgian outfit having a long standing interest in the Sunderland left-back.

The 29-year-old is currently away on Gold Cup duty with Costa Rica but speaking after their warm-up defeat by Peru, Oviedo remarked that he has not heard anything from his agent as he is currently on holiday.

The truth is that I have not spoken about anything with my agent, as at this time they are on vacation and I am here with the national team and do not talk much, we will see what happens in the future.

Norwegian Eliteserien side Rosenborg are also said to be interest in Oviedo’s services.

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Kimpioka shines on international duty - happy to stay at SAFC

Benji Kimpioka came on as a second half substitute for Sweden under-21s in their clash against Norway and made an immediate impression.

The Sunderland youngster came on within 10 minutes of the second half kicking off and the score at 1-1 but took just five minutes to put his country 2-1 up. The 19-year-old then set up one time Sunderland target Viktor Gyokeres for the final goal of the game as Sweden ran out 3-1 winners.

Speaking after the game, Kimpioka says he is unsure whether he will stay with Sunderland next season or go out on loan but he is happy to remain at the club:

You get to see what happens. As it looks now, I remain in Sunderland, which I am happy about. As long as I play football I am happy.

The striker had a taste of first team football this season but he is hoping for more, despite the year being a good one for him personally:

A good year. You are never satisfied, always want to have more as a football player, but I take this year as a lesson for myself. Hopefully more will happen in the future.

A good start. I am greatful for that.

In his three games for Sweden’s under 21s, he has scored twice and provided another assist, with that good start helped by the presence of his one-time Sunderland team-mate Joel Asoro:

Joel has helped me a lot to get into it. I am very grateful to the players around me.

Speaking of Asoro, he moved to Swansea City last season but that move has not worked out with the striker struggling for playing time. Although he does not know why he has not played as much as he had hoped or whether he will remain at Swansea now Graham Potter has departed for Brighton and Hove Albion, he admitted that he just has to accept the manager’s decision:

I do not know the reasons why I did not play. Then you understand that it is others who do it better too. You have to accept the coach’s decision.

I had plans, but that is life. You can’t always go up. Sometimes you have to take two steps backwards to take three steps forward.

I haven’t thought anything. Just come home to Sweden, train hard, so for my part I have not thought of anything in football in England.

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