SM Caen’s Alexandre Mendy has said he doesn’t regret missing out on a move to Sunderland.
France Bleu cover comments made by the 31-year-old about his latest remarks against the Ligue 2 side.
Last summer, Sunderland made a firm effort to sign the striker, and he wanted to make a switch to the Stadium of Light. In August 2024, both Mendy and his agent went public to seek a move to the Championship club, but Caen blocked his exit.
Caen promised Mendy he could change clubs at the end of last season. Their former owners had given their word before selling their stake to Kylian Mbappé’s family in July 2024. The new owners stopped him from joining the Black Cats.
The French club are currently bottom of the Ligue 2 table and after last weekend’s defeat to Paris FC, Mendy launched an attack against Caen’s ownership. It was suggested he was unhappy with their refusal to sanction a move to Sunderland.
Two days ago, Ouest-France reported Caen were unhappy with the frontman’s outburst. Mendy has now explained about his comments after the loss to Paris FC.
Mendy was asked whether his comments were related to a failed move to Sunderland.
Responding to that, he said: “No, as I said several months ago, I don’t regret it because it allowed me to become the club’s all-time top scorer. I never would have been if I had left.”
He became Caen’s all-time leading goalscorer in October, after scoring a brace against FC Martigues.
The saga around Sunderland and Mendy dragged on until the end of last summer window. He only returned to the squad after the end of that window.
“But it was part of something where I lost a lot of energy at the start of the season with the previous management, who had done things I didn’t like, a move that was finalised. And that’s what I mean when I talk about energy,” Mendy explained.
“Afterwards, I’m aware that I’m not at the level I was last year. Everyone is aware of that, but I give the best of myself on the pitch, given all the parameters I mentioned before. The thing is, it was misinterpreted.”
