Sunderland had a shocker with John Egan

When Gillingham signed John Egan following his Sunderland launch in 2014, few would have predicted that the centre-back would go on to be an everyday within the Premier League and for his nation.

After failing to make a single look for Sunderland’s first group throughout his time on the Stadium of Mild, the Republic of Eire centre-back was launched from his contract eight years in the past, making the move to the Gills in League One.

There, he would turn into an on the spot hit, scoring 11 goals in just 92 appearances for the Essex membership earlier than his move to Brentford in 2017, the place he continued to shine within the Championship, scoring seven objectives in 71 appearances for the Bees.

Sheffield United then paid £4m to signal him in 2018, breaking their club-record switch charge so as to take action, and with Sunderland having simply been relegated from the Championship to League One which 12 months, the Black Cats could have been starting to noticeably remorse their mistake.

Egan has turn into a followers favorite with Sheffield United, making 179 appearances for the Blades in his 4 years at Brammall Lane, together with 67 appearances within the high flight.

Would Egan be Sunderland’s greatest defender?

He appears to be like set to be a key a part of Paul Heckingbottom’s facet this season as they give the impression of being to win promotion again to the Premier League, and has starred in his 12 appearances so far, averaging a powerful 6.99 ranking from WhoScored for his performances.

Unsurprisingly, the centre-back attracted Premier League curiosity through the summer season, with West Ham advised to pay £12m for his providers, however he remained with the Blades as they at present high the second tier.

Egan can be an everyday with the Republic of Eire, having earned 26 caps for his nation, and supervisor Stephen Kenny was stuffed with reward for him after he stored Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in a 0-0 draw in opposition to Portugal solely final 12 months

He said: “In my view, I believe John Egan may play within the Champions League.”

Subsequently, contemplating Egan’s meteoric rise since leaving the Stadium of Mild, Sunderland undoubtedly made an enormous mistake in by no means giving him an opportunity within the first group when he was youthful.