Sunderland: Porteous could be Batth’s heir

Sunderland are reportedly excited by Hibernian centre-back Ryan Porteous, and the 23-year-old could possibly be the best man to finally change Danny Batth on the Stadium of Mild.

In response to Football League World, the younger defender is more likely to depart Easter Highway in January after failing to agree on a brand new contract with the Edinburgh membership, with the Championship seemingly his probably vacation spot.

The Black Cats, Norwich Metropolis, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford are all talked about as suitors within the report, though Celtic and Rangers are additionally stated to have been eager up to now, so the Glasgow duo might present added competitors.

Porteous’ contract state of affairs implies that Tony Mowbray could be free to method him with a pre-contract deal subsequent month, but it surely appears as if Hibernian wish to money in on the participant whereas they nonetheless can, which implies that he might arrive on the Stadium of Mild in January.

Regardless of being simply 23, the centre-back has already made 151 appearances for Hibs, contributing 12 targets and eight assists, which means that he may provide a menace within the remaining third.

Ought to he agree phrases with the Black Cats, he could possibly be the best man to take over from Batth in the long term. The latter will flip 33 subsequent season, which can recommend that his greatest days might quickly be behind them.

There isn’t any doubt that the previous Wolves man remains to be one of the vital essential gamers in Mowbray’s squad, as he has averaged a powerful 6.76 score from WhoScored for his performances within the present marketing campaign, which ranks him because the joint-seventh greatest participant for the Black Cats.

As per Whoscored, Batth and Porteous have averaged comparable numbers this season when it comes to aerial duels received (4 vs 3.2), interceptions (each 0.8) and clearances per sport (4.3 vs 3.6), which means that they’re each no-nonsense gamers who put defending first.

John Hughes, former supervisor of Hibs, spoke fairly extremely of Porteous’ skill and angle earlier this yr, saying: “100 per cent Porto has a goal on his again and he’s been laborious executed by. However that goes with the territory of being a heart-on-sleeve, full-blooded kind of participant.

“Possibly that’s a cause to get out of Scotland. I don’t know. However on the similar time he has been capped by Scotland as a result of he has all these qualities.

“He has turn into a significantly better footballer during the last couple of years too. And he’s nonetheless evolving and might be even higher. Nothing intimidates Ryan. Going to Ibrox will not be an issue for him. That’s the form of man you need in your workforce.”

Batth has captained Wolves up to now and is demonstrably one of many leaders on the Stadium of Mild, as illustrated by his efficiency metrics above, so Hughes’ description of Porteous will certainly remind Mackems of their present beginning centre-back.

Contemplating his repute and the minimal payment which might be concerned, Sunderland ought to positively look to signal the 23-year-old Scotland defender subsequent month.