With the transfer window opening, I’m going to go over every Sunderland player and decide whether I’d keep, loan, or sell them. This is goalkeepers and defenders - part one of three…
GK - ANTHONY PATTERSON - KEEP
This one’s easy, I’d definitely keep Patterson at the club. He’s been great for us and he has lots of potential. We should price clubs out of a move for him, by that I mean don’t sell him for any less than £20 million. We don’t need to sell him.
GK - ALEX BASS - KEEP
Bass is purely a back up keeper and I’d be open to keep him around for another year. You could argue that we need to strengthen in the goalkeeping department and provide some competition for Patto, but we should keep Bass for now.
CB - JOE ANDERSON - LOAN
We could definitely look to loan out Anderson, so he can experience some first team football. League One could be a good destination, especially if we could get him a move to one of the promotion contenders - a bit like Jay Matete last year at Plymouth. If not then he’d be good squad depth as a left-sided centre half.
RB - TRAI HUME - KEEP
Of course we are keeping Hume. The Northern Ireland international has just signed a new four year deal and he is our main right back. Clubs will now have to pay a hefty fee if they want to sign him - and rightly so after a breakthrough season last campaign.
LB - DENNIS CIRKIN - KEEP
Another no brainer for me, Cirkin is another fullback who's just signed a new long-term contract. He’s young and versatile, so he can play in various different positions across the backline. I could see a Premier League club coming in for him, but he's another player who would demand a big price.
CB - AJI ALESE - KEEP
Alese is a very athletic centre half and I like him in our defence. I also like how he's able to play either in a back four or five, as well as filling in at fullback. The former West Ham man will play a big role next season if he can shake off those niggling injuries.
CB - DANNY BATTH - KEEP
The former Wolves captain is our most experienced centre back and he was named supporters player of the year last season. He’s so consistent and an experienced head to have around the dressing room.
CB - DAN BALLARD - KEEP
I wouldn’t actively look to sell him, but if West Ham submit a huge offer then I would let him go. I'd say anything north of £10 million would be a good deal for us considering we paid Arsenal just £2 million. He’s obviously great whenever he’s in the team, but he does have his problems with injuries. Hopefully, he will be available more next season.
CB - BAILEY WRIGHT - SELL
I think it’s probably the right time to move him on, he has been a great servant and I like him as a player. I just don’t see him playing regularly. Maybe a permanent move to Rotherham would be a good fit for him and his career.
RB - NIALL HUGGINS - KEEP
He’s got one last chance to prove himself at Sunderland in my opinion. If it wasn’t for injuries I think he'd be a regular. Huggins is a pacey fullback who has been so unlucky since joining the club. Of course, he's now got to compete with the first choice Trai Hume too. If he doesn’t make an impact then we should sell him next summer, but I think Huggins could be a dark horse this season.
CB - LUKE O’NIEN - KEEP
We will definitely keep O’Nien, he is a fan favourite and a versatile squad player. He’s great to have around and he will play a big role again next season.
RB - LYNDEN GOOCH - KEEP
Finally for part one of this mini-series, I’d keep Gooch around for another year at least. The American is our longest serving player and he’s good for squad depth, willing to play pretty much anywhere on the pitch.
