Sunderland have offered under-23 keeper Anthony Patterson a new contract as the club address a number of expiring contracts.
The premature end to the League One season via a points-per-game system saw the Black Cats miss out on promotion to the Championship.
Having lost the 2019 play-off final to Charlton at Wembley, the hope had been that the Wearside club would avenge that heartbreak and return to England’s second flight this time round, but Phil Parkinson’s side finished eighth in the League One table after the division was ended last week.
[freshpress-quiz id=”302563″]
Looking ahead to next season, Sunderland will now look to address a number of expiring contracts which see no fewer than 11 players set to depart the club later this month.
[freshpress-poll id=”296983″]
Included on that list is first-choice goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, who is expected to sign on a free transfer with Championship side Blackburn Rovers (as per Northern Echo), whilst under-23 stopper Patterson is also free to leave the Stadium of Light.
The 20-year-old has featured 18 times for Sunderland’s Premier League 2 side this term, conceding a whopping 51 goals, but despite that statistic, a new deal is now said to have been offered to keep him at the club.
The concession of 51 goals in 18 games is not exactly the best statistic to have on your CV as a goalkeeper, but Sunderland obviously see something in Patterson to reportedly offer him a new deal.
That averages out at 2.8 goals per game, but having come at under-23 level, he has ample time in his career to improve on that return.
One thing is for sure, Sunderland need to get everything right this summer recruitment-wise if they are to finally escape from League One next year.
Do you think Anthony Patterson can go on to become a first team regular at Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…
