Former players: Mensah not retained by Sunderland

Since he left the banks of the Vilaine in july 2008, John Mensah’s career didn’t grow as the Ghanaian defender could hope, far from it.

After a first season with Olympique Lyonnais, punctuated by many injuries, extra-sporting mishaps (especially his arrest by police and racial insults against him) and poor performances when playing as a wing back which is not his natural position, Mensah was loaned these last two years in Premier League, at Sunderland.
After a correct first season, Steve Bruce, the Black Cats’ coach was not convinced at 100% of Ghanaian performances and obtained a new loan, with a transfer clause estimated to around 5,5 millions of euros.

But Mensah was once again victim of many injuries, which convinced the club to renounce to the transfer clause. This summer, the former rennais defender should return to Lyon, where he is still under contract for another two years. However, Lyon will probably try to get rid of him before the start of 2011-2012 season.