Kieran Richardson has named the eleven best players he played with at Sunderland.
Richardson joined Sunderland from Manchester United in 2007 and spent five years on Wearside.
The left-back netted 15 goals and provided 11 assists in 149 games for the Black Cats, including a memorable free-kick goal against Newcastle United.
Richardson eventually left Sunderland for Fulham in 2012, before retiring five years later.
The 39-year-old has now named his Best Sunderland XI and has named one ‘great’ player who he really ‘loved’ playing with.
Richardson names ‘little magician’ in Best Sunderland XI
Speaking on the BROADTALKS TikTok account, Richardson said: “In goal I’ve got the cat, Simon Mignolet. He’s a great goalkeeper. Three at the back, I’m going Phil, O’Shea and Anton Ferdinand. Solid, strong, you can always rely on them three.
“Left wing-back I’m going me, Kieran. In the middle of the park, I’m gonna go Jordan Henderson with Lorik Cana, and on the right, even though he’s not really a wing back but I had to get him in the team because he’s an unbelievable player, it’s Steed Malbranque.
“In front of Jordan and Lorik, I’m gonna put Stephane Sessegnon. He was a little magician, you know. He came into the team and I loved him. He’s a great player to play with.
“Up front, I had to go with the big dog Kenwyne Jones. On his day he will absolutely hammer anyone – giving JT a run for his money even. Obviously, the second person up front, the sharp shooter himself – Darren Bent.
“Well all know, come on, the Mackems had a little thing with him but let’s be real… he was a proper, proper striker for us. He did a great job for us.”
The great memories of Stephane Sessegnon
It’s tough thinking back to how many excellent players Sunderland had in the years before their dramatic decline.
Sessegnon spent two and a half years at the Stadium of Light and became a fan favourite, bagging 18 goals and 16 assists.
The former midfielder went onto claim moving to Sunderland was a ‘bad choice’, but it was one that fans certainly appreciated at the time and were very disappointed to see him leave.
The Black Cats have rarely been able to enjoy a player with such flair and creativity since, with Amad Diallo being one of very few to make their mark in such a way.