Sunderland Interested In “Impressive” Midfielder

Sunderland have made a optimistic begin to the switch window with 4 new faces coming by way of the door on the Stadium of Mild, however the membership’s want for a brand new defensive midfielder is ‘apparent’.

Who’ve Sunderland simply signed?

Following their play-off semi-final heartbreak by the hands of Luton City in Might, the Wearsiders have been optimistic in the summertime switch market, bringing in 4 new gamers to try to assist them keep away from the identical destiny once more subsequent 12 months.

The most costly participant signed by the membership thus far is Dutch defender Jenson Seelt, who value the Black Cats £1.7m from Eredivisie giants PSV. He strikes to Wearside after being named on the bench 9 occasions within the Netherlands however by no means as soon as stepping onto the sphere.

While cheaper than his new Dutch teammate, Jobe Bellingham has simply drawn essentially the most consideration from the broader footballing world. Jude Bellingham’s youthful brother, he value Sunderland £1.5m and, identical to his Madrid-based brother, comes from the academy at Birmingham Metropolis.

The opposite two gamers to make a transfer to the North East are centre-forward Luis Semedo, who joined from Benfica B for an undisclosed fee, and centre-back Nectarios Triantis, who joined from A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners for an estimated charge of £300,000.

While these are all good signings that would assist Sunderland recover from the road this 12 months, they nonetheless want extra cowl in defensive midfield, in accordance with Phil Smith of the Sunderland Echo.

He acknowledged: “Cowl in defensive midfield would look to be one different apparent precedence, however elsewhere it may rely a lot on how Mowbray’s squad shapes up within the months forward.”

Who’re Sunderland focusing on within the switch window?

In response to a report from Dutch outlet Leeuwarder Courant, Sunderland have recognized 28-year-old Thom Haye as a critical switch goal this summer time.

While he’s youthful than the everyday age profile that the Wearsiders have been focusing on not too long ago, the membership have made it clear that they need to strike a steadiness between youthful promise and some older gamers with extra expertise.

Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said as a lot final summer time:

“I’ve had three switch home windows right here and I might prefer to suppose if individuals had been going to be essential concerning the group and decreasing the age profile, they must say we have got some actually proficient gamers in our group and we have got some older extra skilled gamers which can be elementary to that success and we have got some younger up-and-coming gamers which can be elementary to that success. That is the steadiness we have got to get.”

Would Thom Haye be an excellent signing for Sunderland?

The previous Netherlands under-21 worldwide is within the excellent spot to assist the membership and Speakman fulfil their objective of together with extra skilled and barely older gamers into their thrilling and youthful setup.

At solely 28, he’s nonetheless within the prime of his profession, however he additionally comes with luggage of expertise after enjoying 175 video games within the Eredivisie, with the overwhelming majority of these appearances coming as an out-and-out defensive midfielder.

He additionally had a robust season final 12 months with, WhoScored giving the “impressive” midfielder a superb common score of seven.05 throughout his 31 top-flight appearances for his membership facet SC Heerenveen.

His underlying numbers are equally spectacular, with FBref, who evaluate gamers in an analogous place throughout their definition of the subsequent finest eight competitions, inserting him within the prime 8% for progressive passes, the highest 10% for passes tried, the highest 17% for tackles, and the highest 19% for progressive carries and interceptions, all per 90.

If Sunderland may get this deal over the road, they might have some glorious cowl in defensive midfield for subsequent season, and who is aware of, Haye may make that place his personal if he can carry over his type from the Netherlands.