While Bouaddi prepares for life in Manchester, Meunier is enjoying his own recent move to English football. A transfer to Sunderland from Lille was initially derailed by an injury crisis a year ago, but the defender finally secured his switch and is thriving. “It’s English football, exactly what I watched when I was younger,” he explained. “Full stadium, nice vibe, very good level, lots of intensity, everything you’re looking for. I like this organised mess, if I can call it that.”
The former Borussia Dortmund man admitted his only regret is not experiencing the English game sooner. “When I think about it, I’m a bit sad not to have signed for an English club earlier. But I did it, finally,” he added.
“And I am really happy to have signed for Sunderland in particular, because they represent everything I like – everything I love, even – in football. This popular passion. This city, a walkable city, like where I come from. To be honest, I find a bit of myself in Sunderland.”