So, I thought I’d put together my favourite Sunderland 'Starting 11'. I'm young and only started supporting Sunderland in 2011, so I might not include some classics you might expect. Sorry!
GOALKEEPER - JORDAN PICKFORD
In between the sticks I’m going to have to go for England’s number one Jordan Pickford. Simon Mignolet was a close second, but Pickford was as sturdy as you like in a Sunderland shirt, and he was the single shining light in a shocking David Moyes side. If it wasn't for Jordan, we would have been relegated a long time before the drop was confirmed. The academy graduate earned a move to Everton, which launched his England career. He has been a key part of Gareth Southgate’s side, and has made some crucial saves for the Three Lions. I would love to see him back in a Sunderland shirt one day...
LEFT BACK - MARCOS ALONSO
At left back I have gone for the now-Barcelona man Marcos Alonso, who pips Danny Rose to this spot. One of Sunderland’s biggest mistakes was not signing Alonso permanently from Fiorentina, he was a solid left back who was a part of the SAFC side that made it to Wembley. Brought to the club in January 2014 by Gus Poyet, Alonso was a regular for the Uruguayan, and got two assists in his time at the club. He earned a move to Chelsea, where he was a key part of their side that won the: Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Supercup and Europa League. He’s since joined FC Barcelona and won the Spanish Super Cup. Needless to say he is a very decorated full back, and a very good player.
CENTRE BACK - YOUNES KABOUL
The first centre back I’m going with is Younes Kaboul. Sunderland have had a real shortage of good centre backs in the last decade, so Kaboul is definitely one of the best. The former Spurs man only played one season at Sunderland, but his experience really showed. Kaboul was a really solid Premier League centre back, and I was disappointed when he left the club to join Watford in the summer of 2016, citing 'family reasons' which is totally fair enough. Kaboul was a part of the squad that stayed up and relegated the Mags, and that night against Everton was legendary. Kaboul marshalled the backline. When he left, Lamine Kone's form completely fell off which says a lot about the unspoken attributes that a player of Kaboul's experience brought to Big Sam's team.
CENTRE BACK - LUKE O’NIEN
I can’t bring myself to pick any other Premier League centre back from that era (see O'Shea, Brown etc.) so I thought I’d go with the Swiss army knife Luke O’Nien. O’Nien has become a cult hero, with his passion for the club being evident, and he has had his fair share of memorable moments in red and white. Some examples would be: getting punched by a Pompey fan, aggravating Jose Mourinho, and being a key part of the Sunderland Til I Die documentary. He has also won promotion with the club (2022 L1 Play-Offs) as well as winning the Papa John’s Trophy (2021).
RIGHT BACK - PHIL BARDSLEY
The right back I’m going with is Phil Bardsley, who was a really sturdy player. Bardsley played a big role in the early 2010’s sides, and it was very obvious that we missed him when he was gone. He was a very solid Premier League right back, and clubs often take players like him for granted. When he left, we started the strange trend of playing central midfielders at fullback (Craig Gardner, Jack Colback, later Luke O'Nien of course). Most Sunderland fans rated Bardsley highly, and I have to put him in this team.
MIDFIELDER - JORDAN HENDERSON (CAPTAIN)
It was obvious that Henderson was going to feature in this team. He is a boyhood Mackem and an inspiration to so many. Henderson is a top class Premier League midfielder, and has captained Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years. As well as this he has also won the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Supercup, FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield, and on an individual level been named Liverpool's Player of the Year. Not to mention he is a great leader, and has represented England on 74 different occasions. Hendo was a very easy pick as captain.
MIDFIELDER - YANN M’VILA
Alongside Henderson is Yann M’Vila, who was on loan at Sunderland in the 15/16 season. The Frenchman was quality for Sunderland, and looked far and away our best midfielder. He also got the best out of Patrick Van Aanholt. When the Dutchman flew forward, M'Vila would naturally slot in at left back and cover the space out wide. Many fans were left heartbroken when M’Vila didn’t return to the Stadium of Light, especially when he posted on Instagram that “Sunderland aren’t picking up the phone”. This left many fans outraged, and Didier Ndong’s horrendous time at the club left an even more sour taste in the fans mouths. M’Vila was a brilliant midfielder, and he makes it into my 11.
MIDFIELDER - SEBASTIAN LARSSON
Completing the midfield trio is Sebastian Larrson, the set piece specialist. I liked Larsson as a kid, and his free kick against Blackburn Rovers was legendary. He was great in the 11/12 season, and although he never produced the same numbers, he was a great servant during his seven years at the club. He played in the side that got to Wembley, and was a part of multiple great escapes.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - STEPHANE SESSEGNON
Playing in front of Hendo, M’Vila, and Larsson is Stephane Sessegnon. The Ben international was one of my favourite players as a kid and he brings that attacking flair to the team. As a playmaker Sessegnon lit up the Premier League, and I was very disappointed when he left the club for West Brom in 2013. He was highly rated by the fans, and many people felt his mercurial talent was never truly replaced.
STRIKER - FABIO BORINI
I'm not playing any wingers in this formation, so up top is Fabio Borini, who was our relegation saviour while on loan. He scored many big goals against the Mags, and he even scored at Wembley in the 2014 Capital One Cup final. After an amazing spell in 2013/2014, Borini returned to the club in 2015 where he wasn’t as prolific, but still played a part in Sunderland’s survival. His legendary moments on loan are enough for him to get in this 11.
STRIKER - JERMAIN DEFOE
Alongside Borini is Jermain Defoe, who was an immense striker for Sunderland in the Premier League. He scored lots of goals for the Lads, including that legendary volley against Newcastle. He formed an unbreakable bond with Bradley Lowery, which overshadows all his heroics on the pitch. Throughout his career, Defoe has scored 200 Premier League goals, so he has to go in my team. At times he was the only reason we were able to stave off relegation for as long as we did. His return in 2022 was underwhelming, but his first spell is enough to keep him in the team. We got him for free, in exchange for Jozy Altidore which is one of the best bits of business Ellis Short ever did.
MY 11 (FORMATION 4-3-1-2)
Jordan Pickford, Marcos Alonso, Younes Kaboul, Luke O’Nien, Phil Bardsley, Jordan Henderson (C), Yann M’Vila, Sebastian Larsson, Stephane Sessegnon, Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe.
