Sunderland have so far done a solid job of avoiding losing any of their star players.
Ross Stewart was the first to leave in the summer, though his extensive spell on the sidelines and looming contract expiry has made that seem like a pretty good deal in the end.
The Black Cats managed to keep hold of Jack Clarke for now, while Patrick Roberts, Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Dennis Cirkin, Dan Ballard, Luke O’Nien and Dan Neil have all put pen to paper on new contracts this year.
While we are yet to reach the January window that could see ‘vultures circling’, Sunderland seem to be in a good position to keep hold some of their biggest talents.
There are very few players that have actually disappointed on Wearside recently, but there are a few that the Black Cats could voluntarily look to offload in 2024…
Elliot Embleton
Elliot Embleton was an important cog in Alex Neil’s promotion-winning squad last year, scoring five goals and grabbing on assist in the final two and a half months of the season.
The midfielder went onto tear his ankle ligaments on Boxing Day 2022 and spent the next nine months on the sidelines.
Embleton looked to have been given a lifeline when he joined Derby County on loan, but he lasted only one game before he tore his thigh muscle and now faces another lengthy stint out of action.
The 24-year-old may well have played his last game for Sunderland, and with his contract set to expire in 2025, it mays sense to move him on for profit next summer.
Bradley Dack
Selling Bradley Dack in January is probably wishful thinking.
The midfielder only joined Sunderland in the summer and his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, but his place in the squad just feels like a complete waste.
Dack is (or should be) behind Jobe Bellingham, Alex Pritchard and Adil Aouchiche in the pecking order, and it would be a surprise if he picks up many minutes under Michael Beale either.
Dack is reportedly our second-highest earner, raking in £15,000-per-week. We could at least see if anyone is daft enough to buy him next month, right?
Abdoullah Ba
Abdoullah Ba was a tough one to call, but there really aren’t many players we should actually be selling in 2024, and he is arguably one of the worst of a very good bunch.
The Frenchman looked very promising last season, but this term we just don’t really seem to know where his best position is and I’m yet to discover what his strengths actually are.
Ba can’t take a man on, he doesn’t really have any end product and his decision-making is terrible. His two ‘awful’ performances under Mike Dodds were enough to keep him out of the team for a long time.
I would give him until the summer, but I’m not really sure he will ever be good enough – especially if we managed to win promotion.