The latest edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up takes a look at the latest news from Stadium of Light. The Black Cats’ unbeaten start to the season continued as they progressed in the League Cup and won their second league game.
Three new players also arrived on Wearside to strengthen Lee Johnson’s squad. Plus, there was the news on whether Will Grigg and Denver Hume could be at the club much longer.
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Black Cats Unbeaten, Three New Players Sign
Black Cats’ Unbeaten Start to the Season Continues
Sunderland played twice in the past week, the first being a trip to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup. Head coach Lee Johnson made several changes to his team following the victory over Wigan Athletic the previous Saturday. In a hard-fought game, the Black Cats progressed to the next round following a 2-1 win. Youngster Josh Hawkes scored his first senior goal for the club in the first half. This was followed by an Aiden O’Brien penalty early in the second-half. The home side pulled a goal back but it was Sunderland who went through.
The Black Cats were back in league action on Saturday as they travelled to MK Dons. Another 2-1 scoreline maintained their 100% start to the season. Ross Stewart scored his second of the season and Elliot Embleton scored his first senior league goal for the club to double the lead. The home side pulled a goal back and pushed for an equaliser. However, Lee Johnson’s men held on for the win whilst also missing a penalty to make the last ten minutes a little more comfortable than it would have been.
Three New Signings Arrive
Three new signings arrived at the Stadium of Light in the past week to bolster Johnson’s first-team squad. First came left-back Dennis Cirkin who signed permanently from Tottenham Hotspur. The highly-rated 19-year-old signed a three-year deal.
Next to arrive was central defender Frederik Alves who signed on a season-long loan from West Ham United. The Denmark U21 international joined the Hammers in January and is looking forward to his time on Wearside, He said: “It feels very good to be here and I’m looking forward to learning the English style of play and playing matches, so I’m very excited to get started.
“The Sunderland fans can expect a football playing centre back – I like to play football a lot – but I’m also a physical player. I will do everything I can to help the club and I’m ready to give one hundred percent.”
Third to arrive was Everton forward Nathan Broadhead. The 23-year-old signed on Monday on a season-long loan. The Wales U21 international has had Europa League and Premier League experience at Everton and is also no stranger to League One having spent time on loan at Burton Albion during the 2019/20 season.
Will Grigg Could Depart Before Transfer Window Closes
Northern Ireland international striker Will Grigg could be set to leave Sunderland before the transfer window closes. The former Wigan Athletic forward has had a disastrous spell on Wearside since his big-money move in January 2019.
Grigg has scored just eight goals in 60 appearances and has struggled to find form since arriving. It now appears that the striker could move on within the next two weeks. Head coach Lee Johnson said: “Will has made it pretty clear over the period of time that he wanted to get back closer to his family that are residing in around the Midlands area.
“I think that will wash itself out over the course of the next 19 days, but at the same time there is never a grudge held and every individual has got to do all he can to maximise his chances of being in our team.”
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Denver Hume Rejects Contract
Out of contract left-back Denver Hume has rejected Sunderland’s best offer to stay at the club. Hume, who is currently out injured but is recovering at the club, is technically a free agent; however, Sunderland would still be entitled to compensation given the players age. Lee Johnson said in his update about the defender: “The best offer has been put forward, the best offer has been declined.
“Unless something changes in that spell then obviously things change and within that, the club would have to protect their position having offered a player a contract and then there is obviously compensation potentially on the back of that if Denver decides not to sign it.”
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