Johnson unlikely to bring in a free agent
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Lee Johnson admits he is unlikely to add a free agent signing to his ranks in the coming weeks – despite finding himself short of central defenders.
Injuries to Tom Flanagan, Arbenit Xhemajli and Jordan Willis have left the Black Cats with just two senior central defenders on their books.
Dion Sanderson and Bailey Wright are set to line-up against Doncaster Rovers this evening, with some fans suggesting that the club should launch a foray into the free agent market to bolster their ranks.
Such an option could now be feasible following the overturning of the League One salary cap, which means Sunderland are no longer bound by a spending ceiling of £2.5million per season.
But speaking prior to a meeting of third tier clubs on Thursday, Johnson wasn’t sure whether the removal of the cap would necessarily mean clubs were free to add to their squads.
And even if sides are given the green light to add new signings, Johnson is keen to avoid adding to his squad unless essential.
"I think all those questions will be posed at that point,” said Johnson of Thursday’s meeting.
"Whether or not the salary cap consideration is still this season because clubs have got their squads.
It may be deemed as an advantage for some of the clubs to change their tact and overspend, as it may be perceived. Or, they may say fill your boots guys and do what you want.
"At the moment, I don't really want to add to the squad if we can help it. Unless, of course, Lionel Messi becomes available for a price we can afford."
Former Sunderland striker Phil Gray has delivered a message to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus ahead of his takeover.
The football club’s prospective new owner attended Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat away to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday, after which head coach Lee Johnson said he was hopeful that the completion of the takeover will help bring 'clarity' for everyone.
It is understood LouisDreyfus was at the Academy of Light on Thursday with some reports suggesting he is considering relocating to the North East.
With the deal seemingly nearing approval, talk has turned towards what LouisDreyfus’ first moves should be.
And former Sunderland striker Gray says getting the structure and right individuals in place is key.
Following his transfer from Luton Town in 1993, the Northern Ireland attacker missed the start of the season after being involved in a car crash – but cemented himself as a favourite at Roker Park before his release three-years later.
Fast forward to 2021 and Sunderland are waiting for final approval from the EFL on a much-needed takeover deal.
Once given the go-ahead, the buy-out will see Stewart Donald sell a majority of his shares to Louis-Dreyfus, who will take charge at the
Stadium of Light.
“He needs to get the right people into the club,” Gray explained. “People who love the club.”
“I know the North East and people live and die for
the club whether you’re in the Premier League or League One.
“People love the club day in and day out and that’s what makes the club really tick.
“So he needs to get people in who actually love the club that could push the club forward.”
And when asked who could push Sunderland forward, Gray - who made 115
league appearances during his time on Wearside - had one name in mind, Kevin Ball.
“You look at Bally who is still there. I suppose he’s been a caretaker manager
but has never really put himself forward.
“But it’s people like Bally who love the club, he loved the club when I was there and I’m absolutely sure he still does.”
Lee Johnson says he sees a long-term future for Jordan Willis at Sunderland after the centre-half was ruled out for the remainder of the current campaign.
Willis has ruptured his patellar tendon and is set to undergo surgery imminently.
The 26-year-old has been managing tendonitis for over a year and Sunderland’s head coach is hopeful that he will now get the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.
Willis was signed in the summer of 2019 in what was publicly announced as a two-year deal.
It was not confirmed at the time whether player or club had the option of an extension, but Johnson is clear that either way, the player can have a future on Wearside once he has made his recovery.
Any future negotiations would be the remit of Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman.
“I see Jordan as a good player for us for the future,” Johnson said.
“Anything is possible but obviously in the short term the main thing is to support him in the proper way, get him the best possible treatment and give himself the best possible chance of coming back in top nick.
“I'm more than happy for him to stay and see him as a really good player in both leagues [League One & Championship], simple as that.
“I rate him really highly,” he added.
“In one sense, this was probably going to happen at some point and the operation was probably needed.
“Jordan has coped with really well I think and was fantastic in terms of, almost soon as he'd done it, saying 'OK, this happened, I've got a comeback trail now'.
“It's something like 96% who have this come back and continue and continue really well, so the odds are in his favour due to the modern techniques and modern medicine.”
Johnson now faces a challenge in managing his defence through the rest of the season without arguably its most consistent performer, and certainly its most athletic.
The head coach said he would ‘look at everything’ when asked about bringing in additional cover, but has been clear that he is reluctant to expand his squad further unless absolutely necessary.
Johnson will weigh up a change to his usual Sunderland system but says he has plenty of options to help deal with the absence of Willis.
"[Tom] Flanagan will be back soon and of course Dion [Sanderson] can play that role,” Johnson said.
“Oliver Younger could step up, I think.
“Luke O'Nien has done well when playing in a three, though I haven't seen him in a two. I have to decide whether to flex the system, which I didn't really have an intention of doing, or to continue down the path [we're on]. I do think you've got to put round pegs in round holes as much as possible. We haven't always been able to do that.
“I do trust Oliver Younger, he's a great kid. I obviously haven't seen him enough in games, but in terms of training performance and his personality, he's been really impressive.
“He's injured at the moment but it's just a little knock, he should be training next week.”