Players from Chelsea and Cardiff City feature on the list, as Sunderland look to bounce back from their relegation disappointment.
Sunderland manager David Moyes with Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe, Victor Anichebe and Adnan Januzaj
It’s been a dismal season for Sunderland, who will return to the Championship for the first time since 2007 after being officially relegated from the Premier League, and seem set to finish the season bottom of the division.
What happens next will be interesting for many a neutral observer, with the future of current boss David Moyes up in the air ahead of what will be a crucial summer for the Black Cats.
However, throwing money at the problem doesn’t necessarily make it work – especially in a league as competitive as the Championship. With that in mind, here are three players Sunderland could sign for £0 – and all of whom should be huge successes.
Tammy Abraham
While there may be a loan fee for Abraham, who will be in hot demand this summer, there’s a strong possibility that Chelsea would be happy for Sunderland to take the 19-year-old for nothing so long as his wages were paid in full by the Black Cats, and offered him regular football. With Jermain Defoe’s departure somewhat inevitable, Sunderland will need a new striker – and Abraham has just ripped the division apart with a shocking Bristol City side, who would be relegated by now but for for his 23 Championship goals. Sunderland can offer Abraham experiences in challenging at the top while regularly playing in front of a big crowd, so it could be win-win all round – while potentially costing Sunderland nothing in fees.
Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham scores their first goal
Peter Whittingham
While the Black Cats will have players like Jack Rodwell and Lee Cattermole in midfield, central midfield is an area they need strengthening in – and given their plight, they could do a lot worse than move for Whittingham. The 32-year-old has a wealth of experience at Championship level and is still on top of his game with seven goals and seven assists this season at Cardiff City, but it looks like the former Aston Villa man won’t be signing a new contract at Cardiff, with his current deal expiring this summer. A cool, calm head, Whittingham’s knowhow and ability could be hugely beneficial for Sunderland, and he could probably do a job in the Premier League if the club went back up, too.
Aston Villa’s Leandro Bacuna and Cardiff’s Bruno Ecuele Manga in action
Bruno Ecuele Manga
Sunderland’s defence has been an absolute shambles, with 60 goals being conceded in 34 Premier League matches, so it goes without saying that area needs to be addressed. Signing Manga would go a long way to doing that, with the colossal defender – who has been excellent for Cardiff this season and one of the best Championship defenders in general – also set to leave the club in the summer as a free agent, with it looking almost certain he won’t sign a new deal. The 28-year-old is exactly what the club needs at the back – a tough tackling, no nonsense centre half who wins everything in the air – and will be a coup for anyone that isn’t a Premier League side.
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