The Black Cats fans in the Transfer Tavern are frustrated by Sunderland’s annual battle with relegation and are hoping for big changes in the future.
Sunderland have had a poor season in the Premier League, spending the campaign once again looking nervously at the prospect of relegation and Championship football for 2017/18.
The influx of ‘experienced’ players like Joleon Lescott, Steven Pienaar, John O’Shea and even Jermain Defoe epitomises the kind of short term strategy that has undermined Sunderland for so many years. An over-reliance on loan deals has left the team lacking cohesion and continuity.
Our landlord believes that David Moyes must focus on their academy, the same academy that spawned England international and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson a few years ago and more recently the impressive young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
So, how could the Sunderland XI shape up in five years time? Using his famed crystal ball, our landlord takes a look…
GK: Jordan Pickford
The Washington-born starlet has risen quickly through the ranks at Sunderland and is considered one of the brightest talents in English football. An incredible shot stopper and a future England No.1, Sunderland simply must keep hold of him if they’re to build a talented team in the years to come.
RB: Donald Love
Tenacious right-back Love joined Sunderland from Manchester United and looks like an exciting prospect, with eleven Premier League outings under his belt already. In five years, the Scottish full-back will be hitting his peak and should be a real asset for the North East club.
CB: Michael Ledger
Having been at Sunderland since the age of eight, Michael Ledger is held in high regard by the club. A powerful and technically gifted centre-back, Ledger looks certain to break in to the first team at some point in the near future.
CB: George Brady
A tall, powerful central defender, George began his early career in France rising through the ranks in the AS Cannes youth system. A potentially top class defender in the making.
LB: Bryan Oviedo
Signed in January, Oviedo looks like he could be a key part of this Sunderland side for a while. He’ll be a senior figure in five years and will be hoping to still be in the Premier League by then.
CDM: Jack Rodwell
The former Everton and Man City player looks to have put his injuries behind him and is establishing himself as a leader in the Sunderland team. In five years time we expect Rodwell to still be playing a big role for the team, adding vital experience to the midfield.
CM: Paddy McNair
The Northern Irish midfielder joined from Man United and has represented his country at every age group from under-16 to senior level. The tenacious midfielder was part of Michael O’Neill’s squad that did so well in the 2016 European Championships.
CM: Lynden Gooch
Gooch is a creative and dynamic midfielder who has already tasted first team action this season. The pocket sized American is like Luka Modric in his style of play and has a promising future at the Stadium Of Light.
RAM: Luke Molyneux
Luke Molyneux is a pacy winger with an eye for goal and is already a star player in the development squad at Sunderland. The club expect big things from this player in the coming years.
LAM: Rees Greenwood
The England U20 winger has bags of creativity and made his senior debut at the end of last season. Rees is a tricky winger with a fantastic turn of pace that has so often seen him breeze past defenders.
CF: Joel Asoro
Hailing from Sweden, the under-17 international is an extremely exciting attacker who possesses great feet and composure in front of goal. This player is hailed as a future star and is one of the most promising players to come through at Sunderland.
Sunderland fans – what do you think? Let us know below!
