Bristol City’s inspirational defender Aden Flint is wanted by Aston Villa – but David Moyes’ Sunderland are crying out for him.
In David Moyes’ more successful days, his rugged, hard-to-beat outfits were usually built upon a solid backline marshalled by the most no-nonsense centre-half.
Think Joseph Yobo, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Sylvain Distin – all natural, old-school defenders ready and willing to throw their bodies on the line. It’s fair to say Moyes cannot depend on the same consistency or character at Sunderland right now.
Therefore, after a nightmare weekend in which Swansea and Hull City both picked up three points to all but confirm Sunderland’s relegation, it’s even more apparent that The Black Cats must start preparing for life in the Championship.
And challenging Aston Villa for Aden Flint would be a good place to start. According to The Sun, Villa boss Steve Bruce wants to reinforce his backline with the 6ft 5ins Bristol City stopper with the club’s propensity for throwing away points via silly goals holding them back throughout the entire campaign.
Flint, a natural-born leader who thrives with his back pinned against the wall, could at least prevent the odd capitulation.
However, Sunderland have been crying out for a player of Flint’s qualities for far too long. The 27-year-old, Bristol City’s 2015/16 Player of the Season after spearheading their Championship survival, looks likely to repeat the trick in the current campaign with The Robins now six points above the relegation zone.
The former Swindon Town man has been a pillar of consistency since joining the club in 2013 and, in recent weeks, there have been few better defenders in the Championship. In fact, his importance was perhaps summed up by Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win against Burnley – a result that almost guarantees City’s safety.
A magnet at one end, making a game-high nine clearances, Flint then popped up with the winner at the other.
In many ways, he is the ideal Moyes centre-back.
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