After hitting his 100th Premier League, could Stoke City’s Peter Crouch have been a perfect recruit for the Black Cats?
As many expected, it turned out to be a difficult and frustrating January transfer window for Sunderland. Despite bringing in Everton pair Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson, as well as free agent Joleon Lescott, the Black Cats were left frustrated in their pursuit of Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa.
Desperately seeking a strike partner for captain Jermain Defoe, Sunderland manager David Moyes tried his best to bring in the type of big, hold-up-playing forward that Defoe thrives off, but were left in the dark by a resilient Claudio Ranieri who refused to let Ulloa go.
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However, could the Black Cats have instead turned their attention to another Premier League striker?
One who not only plays in a similar style to Ulloa, but has also played with Defoe in the past?
The answer could well have been Stoke City striker Peter Crouch. The England veteran, who recently scored his 100th Premier League goal in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Everton, played in a formidable partnership with Defoe back at Portsmouth when the two played under Harry Redknapp.
As well as a prior knowledge of Defoe’s playing style, Crouch ticks many more Sunderland boxes. His ability in the air would suit Moyes’ tactic of constant crosses into the box, and as a natural goalscorer, Crouch could well thrive in the same way Defoe has.
Both strikers have proved so far this season that age is just a number, with Crouch currently keeping on-loan Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony out of the Stoke side.
So should Moyes have taken a look at Crouch? Could his goals have saved Sunderland from the drop? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Stoke City’s Peter Crouch
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