In case you missed it earlier on, I went over our defenders and goalkeepers and decided which ones I think we should keep, loan or sell. Now, we move up the pitch and discuss which midfielders should be kept, or sent packing.
CORRY EVANS: RELEASE
Evans’ contract is up at the end of the season and although the club have an option to extend it for an additional year, I’m not sure they will/should. He’s vastly experienced in the league but when the time comes to him getting back on the pitch, he’s likely to have missed over 500 days of football. Sunderland will need to strengthen this position in the summer.
DAN NEIL: KEEP FOREVER
Dan Neil is an absolute gem. I’d say one of few players that is Premier League ready. But he is crucial to this team. His passing is incredible and he reads the game very well. Being a mackem helps him out a lot when it comes to understanding the club and will no doubt play a huge role in the dressing room.
PIERRE EKWAH: KEEP
Ekwah hasn’t had a great season. He’s had some standout performances but lacked the consistency he demonstrated last season. Granted much of that will be down to the injury he sustained as well as other things happening around the club. That said, Ekwah has lots of ability, ability that needs to be nurtured properly by whoever takes the reins come this summer.
JAY MATETE: SELL
Matete just hasn’t had a look in at Sunderland and I doubt he ever will. He arrived from Fleetwood with high hopes but struggled to ever really put a consistent run of performances together even in League One, which I think is his level. That added with his current injury troubles I think it’s best we part ways with him.
ELLIOT EMBLETON: SELL
Like almost everyone at the current moment, Embleton has struggled with multiple injury setbacks. He’s a very good League One player but I don’t think he has the level of ability you need when the aim next season will be to finish inside the top six at least.
BRADLEY DACK: RELEASE
Another player out of contract this summer, Dack has just been an absolute pointless signing. Barring the odd occasion, he’s had little effect on the games he’s played and just isn’t as good as the players we have in the same area.
CHRIS RIGG: KEEP KEEP KEEP
Will we be able to keep him? Time will tell after this season. But Rigg has huge potential and hasn’t once looked out of place in the first team despite being just 16. Playing time could prove to be a crucial factor as to whether we retain his services or not ahead of the new season and I’d like to think he’ll be involved a lot next year.
ADIL AOUCHICHE: KEEP
Aouchiche has shown moments of brilliance but also provided a lot of frustration for those having watched him this season. You can see his quality but sometimes he just lacks the decisive action in the final third that could completely transform him as a player. I do think with a run in the team he will only get better and I’d be happy with him in the starting 11 for the first game next season.
