Patrick van Aanholt's smoking might cost him a place in Sunderland

Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt's smoking habits might have just cost him a place in the side

Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt’s smoking habits might have just cost him a place in the side.

The 25-year-old, who was spotted smoking a pipe in Newcastle with a friend on August 9, was withdrawn by manager David Moyes from the side against Tottenham Hotspur over concerns about his heart last Sunday.

Despite his name featuring in the starting line-up, van Aanholt was replaced with Jason Denayer just 15 minutes before kick-off after “medical advice from cardiologists”. Moyes refused to give out any details of the issue, but it looks like he is unhappy with van Aanholt’s smoking habits.

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