Keep, loan or sell? Rating the future prospects of Sunderland's midfield and attack

02/05/2024 07:00

In the second edition of this mini-series, Phil West muses on what might the future hold for our midfielders and forwards

Corry Evans

It's been wonderful to see the veteran midfielder make his return to the first team in recent weeks, as his presence in the engine room has been sorely missed as we've often struggled this season.

That said, I suspect we might be bidding farewell to Evans this summer.

With the need for midfield reinforcements glaring and his age arguably counting against him, it's difficult to see him being offered a new contract, but his impact since joining in 2021 shouldn't be forgotten.

Dan Neil

A gem of a midfielder, a homegrown talent the likes of which pass this way once every decade, and a player who'll surely be in demand this summer.

One of the few Sunderland players to maintain a consistent level of performance this season, Neil has evolved into a top-tier talent and just like Adam Wharton, who's made the step up to the Premier League with Crystal Palace, he's got everything he needs to go a long way in the game.

I hope he stays for one more season. Losing him would be a huge setback.

Pierre Ekwah

Much maligned and often unfairly criticised, Ekwah has all the attributes to be a force at this level but can often lose his focus and drift through periods of games almost anonymously.

He's endured a turbulent and injury-interrupted campaign, but he's also chipped in with some goals and should benefit from a new head coach's input and a good pre-season.

If we can find a balance in midfield and he can work hard to smooth off the rough edges in his game, he'll thrive.

Jobe

With Jude establishing himself as a superstar at Real Madrid, the younger Bellingham brother was always going to find himself in the spotlight this season, but he's handled himself with maturity, and an admirable degree of composure, and has also chipped in with seven goals.

His schedule should've been managed more smartly as he's often been visibly flagging, and there are still question marks over his best position, but he won't be going anywhere this summer, and rightly so.

Adil Aouchiche

When Aouchiche plays well, he looks a class above, but like many of his teammates, he's rarely had a settled run of games since arriving last summer and has often appeared frustrated as a result.

He could fight it out with Chris Rigg to be our starting number ten next season- an exciting prospect.

Elliot Embleton

It's sometimes easy to forget that our Wembley goalscoring hero is still at the club, such has been his misfortune over the past eighteen months.

A broken leg suffered at Hull was followed by a lengthy period of rehabilitation before injury struck again shortly after a loan move to Derby.

Embleton looked good during his first few months of Championship football, but he might find himself far enough down the pecking order to merit another loan or a permanent move this summer.

Chris Rigg

A real breakthrough season for the prodigiously talented attacking midfielder. Rumours abound that he's got a professional deal lined up at Sunderland, and if so, it'll be a huge boost.

Rigg plays without fear and has the ability to make things happen even in the most closely-contested affairs.

He looks utterly at home in a Championship starting eleven, and hopefully he'll continue to develop in red and white.

Bradley Dack

Signed last summer, presumably to satisfy Tony Mowbray's desire to add more experience to our squad, Dack hasn't worked out at Sunderland and despite boasting an excellent reputation at Championship level, his impact has been minimal and his future will lie elsewhere.

A signing that could've worked out but simply hasn't, as harsh as it is.

Patrick Roberts

Nobody would be happier than me if Roberts returns for pre-season with a spring in his step and a point to prove, because he's one of the most talented players in the squad.

After a frustrating 2023/2024 campaign, I do think there's a significant chance that he'll move on, but if our new head coach can build a rapport with Roberts and coax the best out of him, perhaps he can recapture his peak form in red and white next season.

Abdoullah Ba

One of Sunderland's real mystery players.

When everything clicks for Ba, he looks like a dangerous Championship attacker and his numbers this season back that up, but if he's off his game, the results are often messy and he can leave you feeling exasperated.

Next season will be key for Ba. He needs to add a greater degree of consistency to match his undoubted skill, but his tenacity is endearing.

Romaine Mundle

As raw as Jack Clarke when he first arrived, the January signing from Standard Liege has the potential to be an asset at this level, but will need a run of games to show it.

A good turn of pace and some flashes of skill have hinted at a promising player, but he'll need to take his chances in order to impress.

Jack Diamond

After recent off-field issues, a swift resolution is needed and Diamond's future won't lie on Wearside.

Will probably drop back down the football pyramid and could be a decent acquisition for a lower-league club.

Jewison Bennette

The Costa Rican's Sunderland career has been littered with false starts and ups and downs in form, and he's currently seeing out the season on loan at Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.

I have a feeling that the curtain will fall on Bennette's time at the Stadium of Light this summer, quite possibly with a move to a club in mainland Europe.

It doesn't feel as though we're right for him at this stage of his career, sadly.

Jack Clarke

Only a barely-conceivable turn of events will see the rapid winger remain on Wearside for 2024/2025, but could anyone begrudge him a top flight move after making such a huge impact during his time in red and white?

His form has dipped recently, but I don't really care, because he's carried our hopes on his shoulders for a long time and has scored some absolute pearlers along the way.

Will be missed enormously when he leaves, and any fee we receive for him simply has to be invested wisely.

Hemir

Appallingly managed at times and unable to take the opportunities when they came his way, a loan would probably be the best move for the young Portuguese striker, as his development is in real danger of hitting the rocks otherwise.

A frustrating debut season, but I wouldn't like to see us give up on him entirely.

Eliezer Mayenda

If anyone can draw any firm conclusions on Mayenda after seeing so little of him, can you teach me how to be a football oracle as well?

A loan spell at Hibernian is hardly the best way to gauge his talent, and pre-season will be key for him.

Needs to try and make an impression on the new head coach, but I suspect a season-long loan will be on the cards.

Mason Burstow

The Chelsea loanee has looked woefully out of his depth at this level, but he's never stopped trying and his failure to make an impact can't be attributed to a lack of effort.

Instead, it's purely a lack of quality that's hindered Burstow at Sunderland, but it'll be interesting to see where he's playing next season.

Nazariy Rusyn

One of our most intriguing signings of recent times, the Ukrainian forward looked to be showing signs of getting into the swing of the Championship before injury cut his season short.

A livewire of a forward who's not afraid to give defenders a tough time, he would probably work best when playing off a genuine target man.

Is he fully settled on Wearside? That could be the deciding factor, but it feels very much like a fifty-fifty call at this stage.