Sunderland were very busy on deadline day as two players arrived and several departed the club.
Although Michael Beale didn’t get the striker he so desperately wanted, Sunderland did still strengthen in other areas of their squad.
The Black Cats captured Leo Hjelde on a permanent deal from Leeds United before the final day and the 20-year-old will provide excellent cover defensively as a centre-back or left-back.
They also managed to add the versatile Callum Styles on a loan deal from Barnsley till the end of the season with the option to make that permanent.
He will provide cover as a left-back and in various positions across midfield while the acquisition of Romaine Mundle will add depth in wide areas, offering competition for the likes of Patrick Roberts and Abdoullah Ba.
Despite failing to sign a striker and defensive midfielder, Beale can be pleased with the business that has been done as the model to sign young players continues.
That now begs the question as to which of the new players get into Beale’s best XI.
Here’s how Sunderland’s best XI could look…
Michael Beale’s best Sunderland XI
Despite interest from Premier League clubs, Anthony Patterson – who has started every game for Sunderland across the last two seasons – keeps his place in the side.
Tackling machine Trai Hume keeps his spot at right-back after impressing throughout this campaign while the instrumental defensive duo of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien won’t be broken up by Beale.
Those are two positions that didn’t need addressing in the window, however, the left-back position did.
With the injuries to Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese and Niall Huggins, it was vitally important that Sunderland added cover, and that means new signing Hjelde will slot in at left-back.
Dan Neil is another who has attracted top-flight interest but the deep-lying playmaker, who can also play advanced, remains as a key player in the Black Cats midfield. He is partnered with Pierre Ekwah.
The Frenchman has been criticised for his performances as of late, but Sunderland are short on natural defensive midfielders, meaning he keeps his place in the side. New signing Styles will be breathing down his neck though.
With Roberts still sidelined, Ba keeps his spot on the right flank after impressing in the victory over Stoke City, scoring once and assisting twice.
Jobe Bellingham starts as a number 10. He’s been a bright spark since arriving at the Stadium of Light and has built up a strong connection with Jack Clarke, who has netted 13 goals in 29 appearances.
The Englishman remains Sunderland’s left winger, despite attracting interest from Serie A side Lazio on deadline day.
Out of the striking options at Beale’s disposal, Nazariy Rusyn is arguably the best one he has and the 25-year-old will be desperate to fire his side into the play-offs in the final months of the campaign.