Keep, Loan Out & Sell: What should Sunderland do with their fringe players?

10/30/2024 02:00 AM

With January right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what we'll do with Sunderland's fringe players.

Sunderland have enjoyed a stellar start to the season, currently sitting five points clear at the top of the Championship after 12 games. This strong form has brought a settled starting 11, with manager Régis Le Bris rarely making changes. Despite playing three games in six days last week, just 13 players started across the fixtures, with one of these being an enforced change as Simon Moore replaced the injured Anthony Patterson in the win over Oxford.

This stability means Sunderland have several fringe players struggling for minutes at the Stadium of Light. But what should the club do with these players?

Adil Aouchiche

Aouchiche arrived at Sunderland last summer with high expectations, having made over 80 appearances in the French top flight. However, his first season on Wearside was stop-start as he made 28 appearances, scoring two goals. This campaign has seen his minutes reduced further, with only 12 minutes of league action this season, plus a start in an EFL Cup defeat at Preston.

This isn't the first time the former PSG youngster has struggled for game time under Le Bris. Aouchiche joined from Lorient, where he worked under Le Bris but played only 11 games in his solitary season with the French side. With Sunderland's wealth of options in midfield, it's hard to see a pathway into the side for Aouchiche this season, and a departure might be best for both parties.

Verdict: Sell

Abdoullah Ba

The second young Frenchman on this list, this season marks Abdoullah Ba's third on Wearside after joining in the summer of 2022. After making 29 league appearances in the 2022/23 season, Ba saw increased minutes last term, featuring in 39 Championship games with three goals and four assists. However, he has played just one game this season, missing a golden chance to score in the 2-0 EFL Cup defeat to Preston.

With Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts in fine form, and Le Bris able to call on Ian Poveda and promising teenager Tommy Watson as back-ups, it's unlikely Ba will break into the side soon. However, at just 20, Ba has time on his side, and a loan move could help reignite his career.

Verdict: Loan

Leo Hjelde

When Sunderland's defensive options are fully fit, Hjelde is likely to be the fifth-choice centre back. This has limited the Norwegian to just three appearances in all competitions this season, although he has made two substitute appearances in recent games as Sunderland looked to close out wins against Luton and Oxford.

With Aji Alese and Dan Ballard's recent injuries, Hjelde is currently Sunderland's first deputy in central defence. Given the persistent injury issues for both Ballard and Alese during their time on Wearside, Hjelde could well be needed this season.

Verdict: Keep

Nazariy Rusyn

Rusyn began the season as Le Bris' second-choice striker behind Eliezer Mayenda but has since fallen down the pecking order following the arrivals of Wilson Isidor and Aaron Connolly. The 26-year-old joined Sunderland last summer from Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk but struggled to make an impact in his first season, scoring only two goals in 21 appearances. Nonetheless, this made him Sunderland's highest-scoring striker last campaign, as Mason Burstow and Luis Hemir managed just one goal between them.

Rusyn has played just 64 minutes of league action this season across six substitute appearances and is likely to drop out of the matchday squad when Mayenda returns to full fitness. At 26, it's unlikely Rusyn will develop enough to work his way back into the fold, and a loan move may not offer much benefit to the club.

Verdict: Sell