Patrick van Aanholt has paid tribute Sunderland’s backroom team following a fitness-fuelled summer.
The Dutchman was a standout performer during the 2015-16 season cementing his place in the left-back berth, combining resilient and reliable defending with an attacking flair which added goals and assists to the team.
Following a dramatic end to the campaign the defender represented the Netherlands in two international friendlies, but there was little respite for the Dutchman who continued to keep fit over the summer.
And despite not linking up with his team-mates at the start of pre-season, van Aanholt revealed there were no signs of rust upon his return.
“It’s lovely to be back,” boomed van Aanholt. “I joined up with the squad in Austria and had a great week of training, so I’m very happy to be back with my team-mates and I’m ready to crack on.
“I’ve not found it hard to start training again because I’ve been working with my personal trainer over the summer, so I’ve come back fitter than expected and after two days training with Lamine and Wahbi I joined in with the team.”
He continued: “I’m very happy I came back in good condition but the club also deserve credit for that.
“Everyone had an individual programme – it helped a lot – and I’ve got to say mine was quite tough, but it worked out well for me and I’m happy to have had it because it worked well.”
