Sunderland have had a total of four loanees this season, all from top flight clubs and arguably all four have shown aspects of quality that have bolstered SAFC this season...
ELLIS SIMMS
Ellis was the first loan signing of SAFC’s summer transfer window and he certainly made an impact. His partnership with Ross Stewart, both playing as centre forwards was very fruitful and the two had scored a combined eight goals in the first seven matches before Stewart’s unfortunate injury in the warmup against Middlesbrough. The situation got even worse somehow with the Everton youngster being forced off late in the first half in the very next game away to Reading with an injury of his own. His (and Stewart’s) importance to the team was perfectly demonstrated by the fact the Black Cats would win just one of their next seven matches in the league. We would win three of our next six with him back in the squad, following his return away to Luton, and when Ross returned their partnership once again flourished. The pair scored five between them in just three matches.
Alas, with Frank Lampard’s Everton struggling for goals in the Premier League, Simms was recalled on the eve of the January transfer window and less than 24 hours prior to an important game away to Blackpool and his time at Sunderland came to an end. With seven goals in 17 appearances his contributions cannot be ignored and he has certainly left a gap in the team, especially with Ross Stewart now out for the rest of the season. Overall his time here can be given a solid 7/10, he was obviously a good goalscorer at this level and has potential to play at a higher level. He had an unfortunate time here in many ways, he of course had that injury and as soon as him and Stewart returned; he was forced back to a struggling Everton side.
EDOUARD MICHUT
Michut has been brilliant for Sunderland. He has been composed in the midfield and is able to set chances up with his fantastic ability to pass the ball, he has also had zero errors directly leading to goals all season (knock on wood that continues).
He needs to be signed permanently especially for his price tag of just 2.5 million euros (5 million if we go up). At the age of just 20 he is only going to get better and I’d be very surprised if Speakman chooses not to sign him. Edouard will almost certainly play at a higher level in the future and his valuation will continue to rise. He does have some flaws to his game (as you’d expect for a player playing their first real full season of professional senior football), his tackling and dribbling haven’t been amazing but they certainly haven’t been awful either and when he does get it right he’s probably one of the best central midfielders in the division. Overall he gets an 8/10 and I know most supporters would be devastated if we don’t choose to get him on a permanent deal. Plus, he can’t leave now he’s got his own song, ‘And I just can’t seem to get enough…’
AMAD DIALLO
Probably the most well-known player in this current Sunderland squad, the Manchester United man came here on the back of a poor loan spell with Scottish side Rangers, although he can’t be to blame really, he was only given 4 starts his entire time there. And then there was the odd cameo for United. This may have been Amad’s last chance to prove himself capable of one day playing for the United senior team regularly and I’d argue he’s more than shown that he can. Eleven goals and two assists so far this season speak for themself, his passing is simply wonderful and he can drive Sunderland up the pitch to eventually score. Some of his brilliant goals have been away to Birmingham, Wigan and Coventry and he is now SAFC’s penalty taker in the absence of Ross Stewart. His crossing is lacking and his dribbling could oftentimes be slightly better, but these are quite minor gripes on his overall game which is ridiculously good for this level and for someone who is somehow only 20 years old. Overall he gets a 9/10, the fact he only has five games (hopefully eight) left to play in a Sunderland shirt is not something too many of us are happy about but few would say he isn’t capable of playing Premier League football where he will almost certainly be next season. And I’m hoping this new song rule I just made up about Michut applies here too.
JOE GELHARDT
Wasted is how I’d describe him in this squad. He is a second striker, he supports centre forwards like Ross Stewart. But since Ross is out for the season, he has no natural strikers to support and therefore isn’t able to showcase all the aspects of his game as he would like to I’m sure. Despite these struggles he has contributed, he set up the goal to beat Norwich with a ball to Ba and he scored against Rotherham and most recently Hull. ‘Joffy’, as he is affectionately known by Leeds fans, has however missed some chances he should be putting away. He put the ball wide against Norwich, although some would argue he was fouled, he seemingly forgot that he was able to shoot most recently away to Cardiff where he most likely would have scored if he’d been less hesitant. His passing has been very good though and his dribbling has also been effective in many instances, and he doesn’t mind putting in a tackle successfully either. Overall he gets a 6/10 and he will be a good player in the future when he has natural strikers to support, although I doubt he will be back in a Sunderland shirt next season.
