Sunderland boss Mike Dodds could give this rarely-seen player a few more minutes in the final run-in.
Sunderland return to action against Leicester City in the Championship on Tuesday evening, where the Black Cats will look to end a run of four-straight defeats.
Last time out, Sunderland lost 1-0 at Norwich City, with the defeat leaving Dodds’ side now nine points outside the top six with 13 games left to play.
So with the play-offs slowly slipping away from Sunderland, Dodds could give some of his lesser-seen players some game time in preparation for next season.
And one player we could see a bit more of between now and the end of the season is Adil Aouchiche.
Mike Dodds reveals Adil Aouchiche ‘conversation’
French midfielder Adil Aouchiche joined Sunderland from Lorient last summer.
Since, the 21-year-old has featured 19 times in the Championship with one goal and one assist to his name.
But so far in 2024, Aouchiche has made just three appearances for the Black Cats with all of them coming off the bench; since Sunderland sacked Michael Beale, Aouchiche has played just once.
But speaking to Sunderland Echo ahead of the Championship clash vs Leicester on Tuesday night, Dodds said:
“I had a conversation with Adil this week and I feel like we’ve got him in a spot where he’s got a level of concentration and focus that’s really important for a head coach if you’re going to pick a player. I think we’ve got him in a good spot right now and so I don’t think he’s a million miles away from the team.
“My dilemma when I’m selecting a team is Adil’s assets and qualities and whether they’re positively or negatively counteracting the opposition. So it’s about finding the right opportunity where we can best use Adil and the qualities he has.”
Midfield uncertainty could mean big role for Aouchiche next season
Central midfielders are very thin on the ground at Sunderland.
Right now, Dodds’ only options in the middle of the park are the ever-present duo Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah, then Callum Styles and Aouchiche.
And with Neil and Ekwah having had Premier League suitors this season ahead of a potential summer move, it could mean that Aouchiche will be relied upon more heavily next season.
It’s not been an easy maiden season in English football for Aouchiche but he’s certainly shown some glimpses of a very good player.
He’s maybe a more similar player to Neil in that he’s a very good passer of the ball and can dictate play, though whether or not Aouchiche could play alongside Neil in the same XI remains to be seen.
But Dodds’ comments suggest that Aouchiche is starting to impress the interim Sunderland boss and that he could get some more minutes and possibility starts in the final months of the season.
And we could yet see the Frenchman in action against Leicester City.