Sunderland have just two league games remaining this season – while the club’s recruitment team will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats were tracking several players during the January transfer window and are bound to be linked with more names in the coming months. For fun, following recent speculation, we’ve put together a possible Sunderland starting XI and bench if the rumours turn out to be true:
1. GK: Anthony Patterson
Patterson has started every Championship game for Sunderland over the last two seasons and signed a new contract at the club last year – despite interest from Premier League clubs. The 23-year-old has talked about his pride in playing for his boyhood team. The local lad is not expected to leave this summer unless a monster bid arrives. Photo: FRANK REID
2. Trai Hume
Hume has started every league game for Sunderland this season and signed a new contract at the club last year, which will run until 2027. While there is likely to be interest in the 22-year-old, his career is progressing well on Wearside. The Northern Ireland right-back ha also been linked with a move this summer but his departure is thought to be unlikely. Photo: FRANK REID
3. Aji Alese
The former West Ham man is arguably Sunderland’s best left-back when everyone is fit and firing. Photo: PAUL ELLIS
4. CB: Luke O’Nien
O’Nien is into his sixth season at Sunderland and remains a key player for the club. The 29-year-old signed a new three-year deal this last August, with a club option of a further year. The centre-back provides leadership and experience to the club’s young playing squad. Photo: Jess Hornby
5. CB: Dan Ballard
West Ham were reportedly interested in the 24-year-old defender last summer, yet Ballard signed a new deal at Sunderland in August. The centre-back has been a key player for the Black Cats this season. Photo: PAUL ELLIS
6. CM: Dan Neil
While Neil’s impressive performances will have attracted interest this season, the Sunderland academy graduate agreed a new deal on Wearside last year, which will run until the summer of 2026. The 22-year-old has talked about his desire to reach the Premier League with his boyhood club Photo: Ed Sykes
7. CM: Skelly Alvero
Sunderland reportedly enquired about the 21-year-old midfielder in January, yet Alvero signed for German side Werder Bremen on loan from Lyon instead. Bremen have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of this season. The Frenchman has only made five appearances off the bench since his move to Germany. Photo: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE
8. RW: Chris Willock
Sunderland have also been linked with a deal for Queens Park Rangers man Chris Willock, according to Roker Report. Willock, 26, was voted as the QPR’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2021-2022 campaign and is the brother of Newcastle Iniyed man Joe Willock It is claimed that Willock is eyeing his next move with his current contract set to expire at Loftus Road at the end of the current season.
9. LW: Josh Murphy
Sunderland are one of several Championship clubs who have been credited with an interest in Oxford winger Josh Murphy. The 29-year-old, who is the twin brother of Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, has scored six goals and provided four assists in League One for Oxford this season, helping the U’s climb to sixth in the table. Murphy will be out of contract at the Kassam Stadium this summer, after signing a two-year deal at the club following his release from Cardiff in 2022. The Bluebirds paid Norwich a reported £11million for Murphy in 2018 after he came through the ranks at Carrow Road. The winger also had a loan spell at Preston after moving to South Wales. Photo: Richard Heathcote
10. CAM: Amad Diallo
Sunderland’s attempts to re-sign Amad have been well documented. While the 21-year-old scored a dramatic winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup and has been backed by manager Erik ten Hag, the player has still only made two Premier League appearances off the bench this season. Amad built a strong relationship with Sunderland supporters during his previous loan spell, meaning a potential return can’t be completely ruled out. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Kieffer Moore
Sunderland were strongly linked with the Welsh international in January, before the striker joined Ipswich on loan from Bournemouth. Depending on which division Ipswich end up in next season, Moore may become available again, with a year left on his Bournemouth contract. Photo: Ryan Pierse
12. Potential squad player: Nathan Bishop
After joining Sunderland from Manchester United in the summer, Bishop has acted as back-up for Patterson this season. The 24-year-old has made just one senior appearance for Sunderland in the Carabao Cup.
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