Is this the Black Cats’ best currentline-up(plussubs)?
Sunderland returned to the Academy of Light last week as their pre-season preparations began, with competitive fixtures starting behind closed doors next weekend.
So what is Alex Neil's strongest side as it stands, and what does it show about the transfer priorities in the weeks ahead?
ANTHONY PATTERSON
Patterson begins the preseasonperiodasSunderland’s number one after a hugely impressive breakthrough season, but competition will undoubtedly arrive. Sunderland also need to recruit a new goalkeeping coach, having surprisingly opted to part company with David Preece just a day before the players returned.
CARL WINCHESTER
You’dexpectSunderlandto recruit another natural rightback, but in the interim this is a good opportunity for Winchester, a really important player who Neil trusted implicitly last season, to show he can make the step up. There’s a chance too for Trai Hume, who Neil rates and praised for his training work after arriving in January. Having had six months to settle, he’ll hope to kick on and make an impression in the coming weeks.
DANNY BATTH
Batth’s extensive Championship experience means he has a really important part to play in the club’s transition this coming season. The physicality and aerial dominance he brought to the club was crucial after some initial injury problems, and will be again this time around.
LUKE O’NIEN
O’Nien’s versatility means hewillalmostcertainlyendup in defence at some point next season but his move back into central midfield was a successful one and Sunderland will want to keep him there as much as possible. So this is a priority position for Sunderland, and one where they will need to recruit at least three players. There is still confidence Bailey Wright will be oneofthose,thedefendercurrently on a well-earned break after securing World Cup qualification with Australia. He was superb alongside
Batth towards the end of last season, and Sunderland will look to supplement that with some pace and added poise in possession.
DENNIS CIRKIN
Cirkin looks highly likely to start the campaign as first choiceatleft-back.Hisfirstfull seniorseasonunderstandably brought its challenges, but he ended it superbly in both the defensive and attacking aspects of his game. He needs both cover and competition, though. Niall Huggins does not appear to be back in full training judging by club media this week, as he recovers from stress fractures in both heels. Huggins definitely has the capacity to be an important player as a dynamic fullback driving infield from the left, but he’ll need time.
CORRY EVANS
Evans will have an important role to play in a division where Sunderland will inevitably see less of the ball and spend larger spells of games under pressure. You’d expect the Black Cats will want more depth in what is an important
role in balancing the side, though O’Nien and Jay Matete are also capable of playing it.
DAN NEIL
Pre-season is going to be an important period for Neil, whoenjoyedabrilliantseason last time out but had to settle for substitute cameos under the new head coach. That was mainly due to fatigue initially and the team’s good form thereafter, so he has every chance of making an impact now that he is refreshed. His quality on the ball is certainly an asset for Sunderland as they step up.
LYNDEN GOOCH
Gooch almost left the club in the January window, so a newtwo-yeardealunderlined hisresurgenceunderNeil.The 26-year-oldwillbeeagertoget moreplayingtimefurtherforward this season, but will also know it is his versatility that makes him such a trusted figure for his head coach. Patrick Roberts will have strong designsonthisright-wingrole as he returns to the club, as is still expected.
ALEX PRITCHARD
Like Batth, his experience at Championship level marks himoutasanimportantfigure for the season ahead. One of Neil’s key players last season, hisexcellentWembleyperformance underlined why there is so much trust in his quality ontheballandhisenergyoffit.
ELLIOT EMBLETON
Embletonwilllooktoapply pressure on Pritchard’s place as the number ten, but as he showed at Wembley his versatility will be important as he looks to make an impact in his first Championship season.
ROSS STEWART
There is significant interest in Stewart, who is currently on a post-season break following international duty. Sunderland still aim to secure a new long-term deal for the Scot, who they hope will lead their line again next season.
Subs
JACOB CARNEY
Carney was the U23s number one last season but is expected to go out on loan to Queens Park this summer.
TRAI HUME
A player of real promise whoneedsgametimethisseason,soSunderlandwillclosely monitor his progress.
JAY MATETE
Matete’s ability to play a varietyofmidfieldroleswillbeto his benefit as he settles into a new league.
LEON DAJAKU
Dajaku will be looking to build on an inconsistent but definitely promising first season in a new country and league.
JACK DIAMOND
Neil has watched Diamond’s progress at Harrogate Town closely and this is now a big opportunity for the 22-year-old.
ELLIS TAYLOR
Exciting to see the talented forward training with the first-team group last week, he has so much technical quality. A loan later in the window mightbeagoodoptionbutthe chance to impress Neil now is invaluable.
HARRISON SOHNA
A talented midfielder who has looked capable in pre-season/Papa John's fixtures. Another who may need a loan.