Uncertain futures mean Barnsley’s Marc Roberts should be Sunderland’s priority

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Only two Sunderland centre-backs are likely to stay at the Stadium of Light beyond this summer so Barnsley’s Marc Roberts is an ideal addition.

It rather sums up Sunderland’s disastrous campaign that, after one of their best performances of the season, they still returned home without a point to their name.

Arsenal left it late to secure a surprisingly edgy 2-0 win at the Emirates on Wednesday night, a result that confirms the inevitable: the Black Cats will finish bottom of the Premier League this season.

And it is not as if supporters can at least take solace in a bright future. As it stands, up to nine first-team players could leave at the end of the season with their contracts or loans coming to an end.

The lack of options at centre-half, meanwhile, only hints at the problems ahead for beleaguered boss David Moyes. Billy Jones lined up out of position in a back three in the capital, alongside the surely departing Lamine Kone and John O’Shea, whose contract expires in a matter of weeks.

Papy Djilobodji was nowhere to be seen, presumed to have joined the club’s walking wounded, while the closest Jolean Lescott got to the pitch was to warm up in the second half. He too will leave in the summer alongside Manchester City loanee Jason Denayer (below).

As a result, Sunderland are facing up to the prospect of Djilobodji and Paddy McNair being the only senior centre-half at the club’s disposal in the near future. And the latter has been restricted to just nine appearances in an injury-ruined debut campaign.

Robbing Roberts

Therefore, this highlights exactly why Sunderland must make Barnsley’s Marc Roberts not just a target but a priority. The 26-year-old has been one of the most solid defenders outside of the Premier League this season and, as a result, The Sun claims he is at the centre of a £5million tug of war between the Wearsiders and Aston Villa.

And if his proven talent in the second tier was not enough of a reason to pull out all the stops in the summer, the disintegration of an already below-par squad should force Moyes’ hand.