Ahead of the January transfer window, Sunderland may very well be reviewing their summer signings and where they can improve.
The Black Cats are getting ready for the upcoming January transfer window, and whilst Regis Le Bris is more than content with his squad, he hasn’t turned down his desire to potentially bring in some forwards.
Sunderland will be hopefully targeting the wide areas as a major cause for concern at this moment, with the injuries sustained by Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson leaving squad depth to be threadbare at this moment in time.
One thing that Sunderland, Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman will certainly be doing before the January window opens is reviewing the progress of the summer recruits, and whether they should follow suit in the upcoming period.
Here are the players that Speakman may potentially be bookmarking, for the right and wrong reasons…
Sunderland signing Chris Mepham has been a revelation
Chris Mepham joined the Black Cats on deadline day in a loan deal from Premier League side Bournemouth, and to suggest that Sunderland wouldn’t be where they are in the league without him would be an understatement.
At the time of Dan Ballard’s injury, Mepham stepped up with brilliant success, showing composure in abundance, and really helping the Stadium of Light become a fortress.
Arguably, Wilson Isidor has also been an incredible signing so far for Sunderland with his five goals, but Mepham has been crucial in plugging the gap in the heart of defence.
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Ian Poveda signing has been a disappointment so far
Before judging Ian Poveda’s arrival as a disappointment, it’s very important to make it clear that this comes to a sheer lack of game-time, as opposed to the ability he has shown on the pitch.
Whilst he has been incredibly unlucky with his injuries this season, it hasn’t exactly come as a surprise that the Colombian is fighting a constant fitness battle, and Sunderland must have been aware of this prior to his arrival.
Whilst he undoubtedly has top qualities, his lack of assurance for game time should have made him one to potentially avoid, although his recent return from injury could, and will hopefully prove many wrong.
There is still plenty to see from Milan Aleksic
Teenage midfielder Milan Aleksic arrived with a ‘phenomenal’ potential as a youngster, however, we have seen just the one substitute appearance for him.
The 19-year-old arrived for a fairly hefty fee totalling to just short of £3million, Sunderland’s largest transfer of the summer, so it is incredible that he is yet to be properly utilised.
Whether it comes down to the sheer quality that is ahead of him in-the centre-of-the-park, or a reason behind the scenes, Le Bris should still be looking to give him some time to stake his claim for a first-team spot, and there is no doubt that we will see a spark from him once he gets that moment.