Here are five free agents that Sunderland might want to sign this summer or later.
For Sundland so far this season, it has been an absolute rollercoaster.
By February, the Black Cats had managed to appoint their third manager of the campaign.
After winning just two of his final nine games in charge, Tony Mowbray, who had led the team from the beginning of the season, was fired in early December.
Then, he was replaced by Michael Beale, but his reign was disastrous and he was fired after just 12 games.
Even though they have a very slim chance of making the playoffs again, Mike Dodds has assumed interim leadership until the end of the campaign.
There are significant issues facing Sunderland right now that need to be addressed both immediately and later this summer.
Although the players they signed last summer are mostly young and should improve for them in the future, their recruiting class has been disappointing thus far.
| Sunderland – 2023/24 Summer Signings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed From | Loan/Permanent |
| Nazariy Rusyn | Zorya Lugansk | Permanent |
| Jenson Seelt | PSV | Permanent |
| Jobe Bellingham | Birmingham City | Permanent |
| Eliezer Mayenda | FC Sochaux | Permanent |
| Luis Semedo | Benfica B | Permanent |
| Nectarios Triantis | Central Coast | Permanent |
| Bradley Dack | Blackburn Rovers | Permanent |
| Timothee Pembele | PSG | Permanent |
| Adil Aouchiche | FC Lorient | Permanent |
| Nathan Bishop | Man United | Permanent |
| Mason Burstow | Chelsea | Loan |
However, they neglected to consider the free agent market when searching for young players. However, they may explore this avenue in the summer and gain the experience necessary to help them advance in the near future.
In order to address such issues, we examine five free agents that Sunderland may consider signing either now or in the summer.
Phil Jones
This season, Sunderland has been thin at the centre back position.
Phil Jones positions himself as a capable backup who can assist them at the back.
Jones has only participated in five football games over the past three and a half seasons. However, he has been injury-free for more than a year, so he might contribute soon.
The 32-year-old, who has been free agent since being released by Manchester United, might still be a fantastic choice to support the inexperienced Sunderland defenders and act as a true leader for them as they approach the final stretch. After all, he was a previous Premier League champion.
Lys Mousset
This season, Sunderland’s main issue position has been at striker.
Due to the inability of Luis Hemir Semedo, Mason Burstow, and Nazariy Rusyn to establish themselves as consistent goal scorers, Jack Clarke has had to step up and score goals on the wing.
However, Sunderland urgently need a striker who can score goals, particularly with Clarke sidelined due to injury.
Former Sheffield United and Bournemouth striker Lys Mousset left German team VFL Bochum in January.
Despite having relatively little experience in the Championship, he was excellent when he did play there, scoring three goals in seven games at a rate of 0.84 goals per ninety.
Despite his difficulties while on loan in France the previous season and his lack of attention in Germany, he still has unresolved business in England.
Tyrhys Dolan
This season, Jack Clarke has maybe been the finest player for the Black Cats.
He has been Sunderland’s top scorer thus far, and after staying put in January, he has attracted a lot of interest in the summer, with a Premier League transfer being discussed.
Therefore, he will need to be replaced. Tyrhys Dolan is a young, talented winger with potential to grow and who has already shown flashes of being a top player in the Championship. His goals may be very impossible to replace.
Dolan, a winger for Blackburn Rovers, had scored four goals or more in each of the previous three seasons, including this one. However, Dolan would score more goals against Sunderland because of the team’s tendency to drive its wingers forward.
He matches Sunderland’s recruitment approach of signing young, skilled players with high potential because he is 22 years old, the same age as Clarke. Even though his ceiling might not be as high, he would still be a wise addition.
Tyrese Campbell
Although Lys Mousset might be a season-long solution for Sunderland, the club would probably prefer to have a younger, more long-term player who can guarantee goals and only develop better.
Tyrese Campbell, who could be a fantastic alternative, has a contract expiring at another Championship team Stoke City in the summer.
Even though he’s a productive goal scorer in the second division, he hasn’t played much this season and is frequently replaced.
However, he has previously demonstrated his ability; in 41 Championship games last season, he scored nine goals and provided five assists.
As previously noted, Sunderland is in dire need of a striker who has a track record of scoring goals, and Campbell fits the bill. He has lots of time to continue improving at the age of 24.
Nathan Wood
Another player rumoured to be leaving in the summer is Dan Ballard.
He is reportedly being pursued by Everton of the Premier League as a potential Jarrad Branthwaite replacement.
In view of this, their top priority will be a centre back.
Swansea City’s Nathan Wood would be a great option right now.
After moving from Middlesbrough, the 21-year-old has been a consistent player for the Swans in the Championship for the past 1.5 seasons.
He joined in 2022 and signed a two-year contract; therefore, he is currently in the last six months of it. The fact that former Swansea manager Russell Martin attempted to sign him for £10 million in the summer says it all about how excellent he is.
Like Dolan, he is 21 years old and fits into Sunderland’s plan of bringing in young players with a lot of potential.
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