Tony Mowbray has been questioned over any potential changes to Sunderland’s starting line-up tonight.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Black Cats boss explained his plans for Adil Aouchiche following his move from Lorient on transfer deadline day.
Aouchiche arrived on Wearside having made eleven appearances in Ligue 1 last season. The midfielder had to wait to make his debut but has looked very promising in his three cameo appearances, picking up one assist.
The 21-year-old was handed a start for Sunderland U-21s in their PL2 clash against Derby County earlier this week and really caught the eye as he netted the opener for the youth side.
There has been plenty of talk for Aouchiche to pick up more minutes for the senior team, however Mowbray has suggested he won’t be ready to start against Sheffield Wednesday tonight.
“Adil is a very talented boy, he has played a lot of Ligue 1 football so it’s not as if he’s a young boy who has never played at a senior level,” Mowbray said.
“He is very talented, it’s just than in my mind at this moment he’s still finding the discipline of the position we want to play him in. He tends to roam around and he wants the ball, he’s very tidy and technical but at the moment we’re asking the team to play with a bit more discipline positionally. Once Adil grasps that, I will have no fears of putting him in because he is good enough to play in our team, for sure.”
The Amad Diallo replacement
While Alex Pritchard has looked brilliant in recent matches, Aouchiche definitely looks like the type of player that can replace Amad Diallo in the long run.
The Manchester United midfielder was exceptional during his loan spell last season and his absence has been very obvious in the early stages of the campaign.
It will certainly be very exciting to see Aouchiche develop and adapt to the Championship, while it is great to have some very attractive options in that role going forward.
Though once Pierre Ekwah returns from injury it is going to be interesting to see how Mowbray can fit everyone in.