Gooch provided the assist in Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light.
Creator of the equalising goal and arguably fouled for what could have been another, Lynden Gooch was Sunderland’s brightest performer in Monday’s defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
The United States midfielder had spent most of 2018 banished from his manager’s plans, but impressed upon his return over the Easter weekend.
Given his last two showings, it’s unlikely that Sunderland would be so far adrift of safety (eight points after Birmingham’s win on Tuesday) had Gooch appeared more frequently, and it is surely a case of too little too late with only six games left for the Mackems to haul themselves from the jaws of League One.
With his contract up next summer, relegation could bring to a swift end the 22-year-old’s Sunderland career, and Wednesday would be wise to take a closer look.
Injuries to Fernando Forestieri and Marco Matias this season have often left the Owls short of players capable of beating a man, and Gooch would help to alleviate the problem long-term – especially with Ross Wallace and George Boyd now the wrong side of 30.
With one eye on Financial Fair Play and Sunderland in no position to hold any club to ransom – regardless of their fate – the Californian could tick more than just the one box for Wednesday.
Should Sheffield Wednesday target Gooch during the summer transfer window?
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