Earlier this week Lee Cattermole signed a new contract that will keep him at Sunderland until 2021. With various players expected through the door at the Stadium of Light, Lee Cattermole could just be Sunderland’s signing of the summer
Lee Cattermole signed for Sunderland from Wigan for £6 million in the summer of 2009. He has so far played 147 games in all competitions, scoring 2 goals. In only his second season with the club he was given the captains armband. After a victory over Manchester City, the then current head coach Martin O’Neill told his captain: “Well done, absolutely brilliant. You’ve got a heart like a lion” He remained captain until the 2013-14 season after falling out of favour with the then head coach Paolo Di Canio.
Rumours were circulating that Cattermole was very close to be being shown the door by Di Canio. A deal with Stoke City was very close to happening. It was owner Ellis Short that allegedly stepped in and blocked the move much to the delight of the fans. Since Di Canio’s departure even without the captaincy, Cattermole has proved to be one of Sunderland’s most important players. Statistics from over the last 2 seasons prove that he is a very valuable player to Sunderland. During the 2013/14 season, Sunderland’s average points with Cattermole in the side was 1.23, without him it fell to 0.7. Last season, 2014/15, saw a similar pattern. With him in the team Sunderland’s average points was 1.13, without 0.63. Looking at these stats a case could definitely be made to have Cattermole reinstated as the team captain.
Disciplinary concerns over Cattermole are always bubbling under the surface in some quarters of the media and other football fans. It has been said that he is always a red card waiting to happen. However he has not been shown a red card since November 2nd 2013. In the defensive midfield role that Lee plays, he will always pick up yellow cards and the occasional red. Players like Cattermole are few and far between these days. A committed footballer who wears his heart on his sleeve and always gives 100%.
Cattermole is a massive fans favourite at Sunderland. Even though he no longer has the captaincy he is still a leader of men, never afraid of a tackle and always around to offer support and encouragement. It has been reported many times that Cattermole is nothing more than an old fashioned midfield hard man. He definitely has these attributes but he is also an excellent footballer, his range of passing is excellent and his commitment to the team and the cause cannot be questioned.
Head coach Dick Advocaat said: “Lee is the controller of the side. He is a motivator, a leader and central to the success of our team. To know that he will be with us for many years to come is very important to the club.”
Sunderland’s sporting director Lee Congerton added: “Lee is a hugely important part of our team, both on and off the field. “He has ten years of experience playing in the Barclays Premier League, which is incredible when you consider he is still only 27 years old, and we are delighted that he has committed his long-term future to Sunderland.”
With various signings expected over the coming weeks at Sunderland perhaps Advocaat has just pulled off his best signing. A signing that understands and knows the club and its fans, A signing that will undoubtedly inspire his team mates to success in the future, a signing that will be with the club for many years to come and will no doubt if he wants too, take his place alongside other Sunderland legends like Charlie Hurley, Jim Montgomery, Bobby Kerr, Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.
