Journalist Phil Smith has claimed that signing an ‘orthodox right-back’ in the January transfer market could ‘transform’ Sunderland’s season.
Up to this point in the campaign, Carl Winchester had played the bulk of the club’s League One games as a right-back. However, while talking about the player on The Roar, a Sunderland Echo podcast, Smith said that the Black Cats would be better off he was playing in midfield.
This led him to explain that when the winter transfer market opens, Sunderland should try and sign a more natural fit for the fullback role as this would allow a partnership of Winchester and Dan Neil to flourish.
He explained himself, saying: (19:50): “It’s certainly not criticism of everyone, but I just think getting a proper orthodox right-back can really transform this team. And it allows Winchester to stay in midfield. And I think that’s now, in my opinion, really important.
He concluded: “For me, Neil and Winchester has been the best partnership by a considerable distance.”
TIF thoughts on Sunderland and their right-back options…
Do Sunderland need to sign a new right-back?
Yes
No
As we’ve seen at the highest level in recent seasons, the right-back position can be vital to any team’s success – Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is perhaps the best modern example of this.
And while Sunderland may not be able to go out and purchase a player of that level in January, if they can sign someone of adequate quality, it would allow Winchester to partner Neil in the middle of the park.
In the eyes of Smith, this is the club’s best central midfield partnership ‘by a considerable distance’. If they can sort that out, then maybe the Black Cats will succeed in their aim to make it back into the Championship.
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