The imminent departure of one Sunderland striker may be due to the unfulfilled expectations set by coach Mike Dodds last season.
Sunderland are looking to sanction departures in the ongoing January transfer window.
It is expected that, with the arrival of Enzo Le Fee, as well as Sunderland’s ongoing desire to add a striker to their squad, the Black Cats will likely move players on in order for Regis Le Bris to not have to work with an over-populated squad list.
Attackers in particular look likely to be made surplus to requirements, and one that is edging closer to a move away from Wearside is Ukrainian attacker Nazariy Rusyn.
The striker is closing in on a move to Hajduk Split on loan, something that doesn’t come as a surprise due to his lack of game time, but his inability to stake his claim as a part of the Black Cats squad can be sourced back to one comment previously made by Mike Dodds.
Sunderland coach Mike Dodds ‘pressure’ claim has come true as Nazariy Rusyn closes in on move
The Black Cats attacker jetting off to Croatia ahead of his imminent move will come as a surprise to very few, including Sunderland coach Mike Dodds.
Dodds, an integral part of Le Bris’ backroom staff at Sunderland, oversaw the last months of the Black Cats’ disastrous 2023/24 season, which saw many players, including Rusyn, unable to hit a run of form.
The Black Cats coach had shown sympathy towards the Ukrainian previously, but piled the pressure on him to perform this season, which he hasn’t had the opportunity to do.
Per Sunderland Echo, at the back end of the last campaign, Dodds said: “I do think from the start of next season [2024/25], pre-season is going to be really important for him because I think those factors have been taken away really. His family are here with him, his language has got a lot better, he’s a lot more settled in the region and has got a place [home].
“So there’ll be a little more pressure on him but I think we’ll see a better reflection of him as a player.”
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Nazariy Rusyn loan spells the end of time on Wearside
It doesn’t take much thought to suggest that Rusyn’s tenure on Wearside simply hasn’t worked out, with the 26-year-old scoring just two Championship goals in 29 appearances, albeit it more often from off-the-bench.
There aren’t too many doubts over his ability, it more comes down to his inability to settle in England for a myriad of reasons.
The deal that will see him sign for Hajduk Split on loan will come with an option to buy, something that will see Sunderland either sell him to the Croatian side, or simply move him elsewhere.
In the interest of Rusyn, many Sunderland fans will be hoping that he can finally get back to form with the Croatian outfit and get his career back on track, as his future simply doesn’t align with the Black Cats.