Sunderland’s January Transfer Dealings: A Review
There’s no doubt that the Black Cats have had a busy few weeks; five signings have been made in an attempt to keep them in the Premier League. Sunderland currently lie second to bottom in the table, so, can their new signings help them pick up the necessary points to secure survival? I take a look at the players that Sam Allardyce has brought in to the Stadium of Light, and also those that were allowed to leave.
IN
Jan Kirchhoff, Bayern Munich, £750,000
It’s safe to say that he didn’t have the best of starts. After just two minutes of first team football this season, Allardyce was wrong to throw the German defender in at the deep end against Tottenham. Kirchhoff has since had two behind-closed-doors games, so once he regains fitness he could show why Bayern Munich signed him not too long ago.
Steven Harper, Free
Brought in as an experienced third choice goalkeeper, he will provide back up to Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford and, unless one of these men gets injured, do not expect Harper to feature. He will also help out on the coaching side providing young Pickford with guidance where it is needed.
Dame N’Doye, Trabzonspor, Loan
Signed on loan from Trabzonspor until the end of the season, striker N’Doye will provide back-up/support for leading scorer Jermain Defoe in the club’s quest to secure a Premier League place for next season. The Senegalese international also has valuable English top-flight experience from when he played for Hull City, scoring five goals in 15 games.
Lamine Koné, FC Lorient, £5 million
With Sunderland leaking goals at an alarming rate, defenders were always going to be a priority for Allardyce. Koné became the Black Cats’ second defensive signing when he was eventually, after several weeks of negotiations, brought in last week. The Ivory Coast defender will need to be at his best to help keep the goals against Sunderland down as much as possible. His form, along with the other defenders in the side, will be critical in Sunderland’s attempt at another great escape.
Wahbi Khazri, Bordeaux, £9 million
Reports from France suggest that Khazri could be Sunderland’s Mesut Özil. If true, supporters could be in for a treat when he pulls on the red and white shirt. He will most likely play in the No.10 role to give much needed support to first choice striker, Jermain Defoe, although he can play on either wing, too. Sunderland have for a long time missed a player who can make things happen, support the striker and bring others into play. Ola Toivonen was expected to be that player when he signed, but his performances have been poor at best after a positive start. He is a skillful attacking midfielder with decent scoring and assists statistics; if he hits the ground running then he could prove to be an excellent signing.
Sunderland were also active in moving players on, too, with some surprising departures but also some who needed to go.
OUT
Costel Pantilimon, Watford, £3 million
He was reportedly on double the wages of Vito Mannone and, with the emergence and talent of the club’s now No.2 keeper, Jordan Pickford, then Costel was an obvious choice to offload to free up wages and increase transfer funds. Saying that, it still came as a surprise to many as he was dependable keeper, and Allardyce and the fans will be hoping that Mannone, Pickford and Harper have enough about them to be just as dependable when the need arises.
Steven Fletcher, Marseille, Loan
He has just six months left on contract, so has he played his last game for the club? Highly likely. Signed for £14 million four years ago, his spell with Sunderland hasn’t been as prolific or as successful as some predicted (23 goals in 94 league appearances). He did have some good games, but, on the whole, it was disappointing. Was this his fault? Not entirely, as for much of his time at the club he played up front on his own, with his back to goal and with little support. Bearing in mind the injuries he has also suffered, a change of club and country could be what he needs. For Sunderland, it gets a player off the books who was costing a lot in wages to sit on the bench more often than not. For some, no replacement will be a worry.
Danny Graham, Blackburn, Loan
Like Fletcher, Graham only has six months left on his contract and was allowed to leave to free up wages after a very disappointing three years which brought just one goal.
Will Buckley, Birmingham City, Loan
A good player but not quite up to the Premier League standards. He became a bit part-player quickly after arriving from Brighton, and was obviously out of favour. He had a decent start with Birmingham where the Championship was more akin to his level.
Liam Bridcutt – Leeds United, Loan Extended
Another who is out of favour and also out of his depth in the top flight of English football is Liam Bridcutt. He is doing well under new boss, Steve Evans, at Elland Road and a permanent deal looks likely in the summer.
Sebastian Coates, Sporting Lisbon, Loan
He has featured regularly this season so this move came as a little surprising. However, with Allardyce bringing in two new central defenders, Coates was the man to make way. He only signed permanently last summer, but his days at Sunderland could be over as a permanent deal to Sporting looks likely if all goes well.
Jordi Gómez, Blackburn, Loan
Gómez never quite got going after his arrival from Wigan, and was always on the fringes of the first team without really making one of the midfield positions his own. A decent passer of the ball but, like Buckley and Bridcutt, the Championship could be the league that suits him best.
Charis Mavrias, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Loan
A Greek winger, who seems to have been at the club for a very long time now. Mavrias has spent more time out on loan than he has spent on Wearside. A permanent move would be best for both parties sooner rather than later.
Lynden Gooch, Doncaster Rovers, Loan
A talented prospect, the young American can hopefully benefit from playing regular, competitive first team football at Rovers and come back a better player for the experience.
Sam Allardyce would have preferred to have had this many ins and outs over the summer, but needs must. Sunderland are in another relegation scrape and something had to be done to give the club and their fans some hope. Fans of the Black Cats now have everything crossed that Big Sam has worked his magic and has done enough to keep this great club where it belongs: in the Premier League. The signings just have to work; if they don’t, then the Black Cats will be in huge trouble and those that are currently on loan to Championship clubs could well be staying in that league, just back at Sunderland. However, that’s a thought that supporters really don’t want to be thinking about right now.
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