The Sunderland Echo’s Phil Smith and Mark Donnelly discussed all things Sunderland on the most recent edition of The Roar podcast and during the show, Smith explained why the Black Cats may sign another centre-back before the current transfer window closes.
Sunderland have made six permanent additions to their squad during the current transfer window, three of whom – Arbenit Xhemajli, Bailey Wright and Morgan Feeney – are centre-backs.
However, during this recent edition of The Roar podcast, Smith explained why the Black Cats may re-enter the transfer market for another central defender before the current transfer window shuts.
He said: “I think the way to kind of see it, in a way, is that [Phil] Parkinson is highly unlikely to switch from his three-at-the-back system.
“Ideally, I think the way to see it is – he wants two defenders for every one of those back three slots.
“You can put Feeney and Xhemajli in one category in terms of the left-sided centre-back, on the right side you’ve got Jordan Willis, Conor McLaughlin can also play that position if needs be and Brandon Taylor can play that position if needs be.
“It’s that kind of middle slot where [Phil Parkinson] saw Morgan Feeney. Morgan Feeney, he saw as the understudy to Bailey Wright.
“Phil saw, if he needed to, Morgan as someone who can play that role at the heart of defence so that’s why even though, yes, you have five or six players who can play at centre-back, he’s considering having another option.
“It’s certainly something that he will consider. I’d be surprised if he didn’t do it, to be honest. I think he will want six centre-backs and one for each of those slots.”
Do Sunderland need to sign one more centre-back?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts…
So, judging by what Smith had to say, it seems as though he believes that the Black Cats are likely to dip back into the transfer market to sign their fourth centre-back of the current window.
As Smith alluded to, Sunderland have played with three centre-backs in all three of their League One games this season so far and as per Transfermarkt, the North East club has got just five senior centre-backs in their squad at present.
So, if Parkinson wants two senior options for each of the three centre-back positions, as Smith suggested, then it may be understandable why the Black Cats may sign one more central defender.
With the EFL’s transfer window for international registrations closing on 5th October and a subsequent domestic-only window closing on 16th October, it will be interesting to see if Parkinson is granted his wish of one more centre-back before time runs out.