As we get closer to the end of the season, we need to evaluate which players we want to retain for the next campaign. Of course, that’s very difficult when we don’t know what division we will be in but, for now, here is a look at players and loan players whose contracts are up at the end of the year and whether or not we should keep them.
JACK CLARKE
He may only have one goal and a couple of assists, but he has been a very bright spark in the attacking third since signing on loan from Spurs in January. Whenever he is on the pitch and on the ball, you always feel that something could happen. I think we should definitely try to loan him again no matter which division we are in. He most likely won’t be used at Tottenham next season with the likes of Kane and Son playing but the problem will be, if we don’t go up then he might be loaned out to a club in the Championship.
DECISION:RELOAN
LEON DAJAKU
Rumoured to be on loan with an option to buy deal. He started quite strongly but ever since Roberts and Clarke came he has been knocked down the pecking order. As he has gone back to Germany now for medical reasons it is hard to see him make a real impact for the rest of our season. If we don’t go up I think we should sign him as he could make a real impact in League One. He has shown sparks of his quality but was never consistent enough.
DECISION:RELOAN
PATRICK ROBERTS
When he arrived in the North East there was lots of excitement surrounding the former Manchester City and Celtic star. He wasn’t fit when he arrived so had to wait until the ninth game of his time at the club to be involved but he has recently cemented his place in Alex Neil’s best 11. Bringing skill, pace and flare to the side we always look very dangerous when he is on the ball. He is technically on loan until the end of his Man City contract but seems to be enjoying his time at the club. I think we should renew his contract no matter what division next season because he brings something else to the team.
DECISION: RENEW
ARBENIT XHEMAJLI
After signing a 2 year deal under Phil Parkinson in 2020, Arby played in one friendly and a Papa John’s trophy game and then got a serious injury. Only coming into the team after the halfway mark this season, he looked solid. Playing three games and only conceding one goal is a very strong record. It’s hard to judge whether he could play at a higher level but, if we don’t get promoted, I think he is an obvious renewal. But does Alex Neil feel the same? Why has he only played in extreme circumstances?
DECISION:RENEW
BAILEY WRIGHT
This is the Aussie’s 3rd year at Sunderland, and he has got better by the year. He seems to have a presence in the dressing room and calms everything down on the pitch. Despite strong transfer links to Wigan in the summer he stayed to play out his contract and has done so brilliantly. If we go up I think he would sign a new contract but I can’t see him staying in red and white in League One for another year. He is good enough to play at a higher level. I would keep him no matter what.
DECISION:RENEW
AIDEN MCGEADY
In a recent interview the Irishman stated that he wanted to play for a couple more years. If that were the case, I think it would have to be at the Stadium of Light because there aren’t many teams that would want a soon to be 37 year old. Over the years we have seen his magic and he has been a great asset (and could still be if he can join our promotion push). However I think it’s time for the great man to retire.
DECISION:RETIRE
LYNDEN GOOCH
This is a tough one for me personally because I love Gooch and always have. He has been at the club for so long after coming through the academy. He is a huge Sunderland fan and it is always hard to see them leave the SoL. The problem with Lynden is that he has moments where I think he could play in the Premier League but then there are performances where he looks at the right level. I think if we go up he would unfortunately have to leave but if we stay in the division I think he should stay and hope more moments of magic come from the American.
DECISION: DEPENDS ON DIVISION
RON THORBEN HOFFMANN
For me this is easy. Ron is on a loan to buy deal and if we go up, I think he will join permanently. After signing in the summer window it was obvious why Hoffmann played for Bayern. His leadership skills, distribution and agility really showed as he was keeping us in games. After falling ill and positive performances from Patterson, Ron hasn’t had the chance to show Alex Neil what he can do. If we stay in League One it is hard to see him come back because it is obvious he is good enough to play at a higher level.
DECISION:SIGN
NATHAN BROADHEAD
Before picking up his injury Broady was improving game by game and starting scoring goals. After about 4 months out he came back into the team and picked up where he left off. He is a crucial member of the squad and his goals are becoming vital in our play-off challenge. If we get promoted then there is chance we could see Broady return to the SoL but if we don’t then there is no way he will return as he has proven on many levels that he is good enough to play at a much higher level. Either way I think we have to try and pick him up again but he will be hot property in the summer window.
DECISION:RELOAN
LEE BURGE
Despite being in the League One team of the season last year, Burge is now third choice keeper. He has shown moments of class but when he is playing we don’t look as stable as we do with Patterson or Hoffman. I feel for Burge because he has never been lucky with illness or injuries but I don’t think he is capable of playing in the Championship. If we stay in League One we have Patterson who has been brilliant recently and we can use the window to look elsewhere.
DECISION:RELEASE
CALLUM DOYLE
Coming in as a 17-year-old, Doyle has shown strength, quality and pace in his time at Sunderland. He is a very strong player so, if we don’t go up, I can’t see Manchester City sending him to us again as he has the quality to go to the Championship and maybe even lower Premier League sides. However if we go to the Championship, I think he would be a regular starter and look strong. No matter what happens I think we have to try to renew because there is no way that Manchester City will sell a kid who Bailey Wright thinks will be the England captain of the future.
DECISION:RELOAN
As I said at the beginning, the decision will be Alex Neil’s . But since he arrived we’ve seen strong reliable defenders, attacking wingers and goals from Broadhead. We can’t afford to lose all the players who’ve helped turn the season around whether we’re trying to stay in the Championship or trying to get out of League One again.
