Stephen Elliott thinks Sunderland’s Jordan Willis can unlock something new in team

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The Black Cats have brought the defender to the Stadium of Light after his departure from Coventry City.

Stephen Elliott has spoken highly of Sunderland summer signing Jordan Willis, claiming that his pace could enable the entire team to be more attacking-minded in the upcoming League One season, as reported by Chronicle Live.

The 24-year-old defender joined the Black Cats earlier in July on a two-year deal following his departure from Coventry City (official Sunderland website), and according to Chronicle Live, he was sought after by six Championship sides.

Elliott, formerly of Sunderland, served as co-commentator for BBC Newcastle for friendly between the Black Cats and Heerenveen at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and although the Wearside outfit lost against the Dutch side, he was impressed by Willis’s display at the back.

“For a positive, I think Jordan Willis looks very calm and assured at the back,” he told Chronicle Live. He’s a lot quicker than what we had at the back there last season, so I think he’ll be a big plus this year. It definitely looks stronger at the back in pre-season with Conor [McLaughlin] coming in too, and what I will say is, hopefully that will make Jack Ross set up his team a bit more attacking, knowing that he has that pace at the back now.

“Maybe last year when he was a little bit cautious at times, it was maybe because he knew there wasn’t much pace in the back line. But with Willis’ pace now I think Ross can afford to be a bit more expansive and forward-thinking. Particularly at the Stadium of Light, the midfield could be more attack-minded, rather than the two sitters like we saw on Saturday.”

Willis made 208 appearances for the Sky Blues, coming through the ranks at the West Midlands club before making his debut in the Championship in 2011, and as mentioned on the Sunderland website, he captained the club to the EFL Trophy in 2017 before helping them earn promotion via the League Two playoffs the following season.