Three England internationals, a £20 million forward and a Premier League winner, Sunderland would have one hell of a squad right now if they managed to keep a talented crop of youngsters together at the Stadium of Light.
Jordan Pickford – Everton
Love him or loathe him, Pickford is England’s number one goalkeeper for a reason. His form, at international level, remains pretty much impeccable. And, much to their delight, the Washington-born keeper is starting to emulate those heroic performances week-in, week-out; saving The Toffees from a first relegation since 1951 last season,
Pickford remains the most expensive export in Sunderland’s history.
DeAndre Yedlin – Inter Miami
During an impressive loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur in 2015/16, the rocket-fuelled right-back admitted that he was open to the idea of staying full-time at the Stadium of Light. So, as you might imagine, it didn’t go down particularly well amongst some supporters when bitter rivals Newcastle pipped them to the post, snatching Yedlin from under Sunderland’s nose with a £5 million bid.
Yedlin has since spent time sharing a dressing room with the now-retired Gonzalo Higuain and, erm, Phil Neville at Inter Miami.
John Egan – Sheffield United
While Sunderland supporters were watching their side concede a 94th minute winner to Charlton Athletic in the 2019 League One play-off final, Egan was preparing for life in the big-time.
A rock at the heart Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United side, the 22-time Republic of Ireland international was released by the Black Cats just four years before helping the Blades to promotion.
Jason Denayer – Lyon
In November 2016, The Sun reported that Jason Denayer wanted to make his loan move from Manchester City permanent to the tune of £10 million. Those hopes would go up in smoke, of course, once David Moyes’ Sunderland side dropped out of the Premier League a few months’ later.
A classic case of what-might’ve-been, Denayer is now an established part of Belgium’s international squad. He could be included in Roberto Martinez’s World Cup squad.
Jack Colback – Nottingham Forest
Colback made the journey from Wearside to Tyneside eight years ago, becoming the first player since Lionel Perez in 1998 to leave Sunderland for Newcastle when his contract expired.
Now 32, Colback has enjoyed a resurgence at promotion-winning Nottingham Forest, either in central midfield or at left-back.
George Honeyman – Hull City
This one hurts. Honeyman, after all, was a boyhood Sunderland fan, a player who joined their academy at the age of 10 before rising through the ranks and inheriting the captain’s armband. Just to rub salt into Wearside wounds, Honeyman has taken his game to an all-new level since being sold to Hull City in 2019.
The effervescent midfielder shone as Hull stormed to the League One title in 2020/21; finishing three places and 12 points above his old employers.
Jordan Henderson – Liverpool
At least Sunderland made a pretty penny on Henderson – in comparison to Honeyman, anyway. Sold to Liverpool for £20 million a decade ago, Henderson is undoubtedly the most successful footballer in this team.
He’s captained Liverpool to their first ever Premier League title, conquered the continent and played in a World Cup semi-final.
Paddy McNair – Middlesbrough
Another player who caught the eye at Sunderland before joining a North East neighbour. McNair has been one of the first names on the Middlesbrough team-sheet over the last four seasons.
The one-time Manchester United youngster has over 50 caps for Northern Ireland at the age of just 26.
David Moberg Karlsson – Urawa Red Diamonds
If there is one name on this list that will put a rather stupefied expression on Sunderland supporters, it’s Moberg Karlsson’s. The Sweden international winger was one of those forgettable Roberto di Fanti signings from the summer of 2013 and lasted just 14 months before leaving for Nordsjaelland.
Moberg Karlsson joined Urawa Red Diamonds a few months ago after shining at Sparta Prague. He’s best remembered for a superb Europa League performance in a thumping win over Celtic.
Antoine Semenyo – Bristol City
Two years ago, Semenyo’s loan spell at the Stadium of Light ended prematurely when COVID-19 reared it’s head. How far he’s come since then.
Now one of the EFL’s most coveted youngsters, Semenyo is valued at £20 million by Bristol City these days. His agent recently confirmed Celtic’s interest.
- READ MORE: Fulham’s XI if they kept their top stars
Danny Welbeck – Brighton and Hove Albion
Another former loan star Sunderland wanted to sign on a permanent basis. Manchester United opted to take Welbeck back to Old Trafford after he helped Steve Bruce’s side finish tenth in the Premier League table. Will the Black Cats ever secure a top-half place in the first division again?
Welbeck would go on to lift silverware at United and Arsenal, while scoring 16 goals in 42 games for England.
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