With the new season in full flow and the actual Sunderland team still on their holiday’s, Read Sunderland have decided to take a look at the virtual Sunderland team. FIFA 16 is due to be launched later this month and we have taken it upon ourselves to play a little guessing game on how FIFA will rate the current Sunderland squad. Let us know what you think @ReadSunderland
Costel Pantilimon (+4)
Pantilimon was very impressive in his first season in red and white. Arriving on a free transfer and initially second choice to Vito Mannone, Pantilimon showed his quality in the escape from relegation. A shaky start thus far this campaign will test the Romanian’s character, and hopefully the giant keeper will continue his form into this season. 
Vito Mannone (-1)
Mannone began the season as Sunderland’s number 1 but lost his place after some horrific displays. He will have some battling to do to reclaim his place in the side. 
Billy Jones (+/- 0)
Not an awful lot to change for Jones. The defender had a mixed spell last season, impressing occasionally on his defending but was poor with his end product going forward too often.
John O’Shea (-1)
Perhaps O’Shea’s worst season in a Sunderland shirt will surely impact his FIFA mark this year. His pace appears to have slowed down a lot, and with his age, O’Shea is nearing the end of his career and will surely see playing time decreased this term.
Wes Brown (-5)
A poor season for Brown last season blighted by injuries and errors. Despite surprisingly signing a one-year contract extension in the summer it is anticipated that Brown will play very few games this year.
Patrick Van Aanholt (+3)
A decent season for Van Aanholt last season, decent going forward but poor at the back (which is unfortunately a defenders job!). The Dutchman has benefited from regular football and has improved slightly given he only cost £1.5 million, however, this season has started off dreadfully for the former Chelsea man.
Sebastian Coates (+2)
Coates had a mixed spell last season, finding first-team opportunities hard to come by until Dick Advocaat brought him into the fold for the last nine games. Coates showed his best form and helped Sunderland stay up, earning himself a permanent £2-million move this summer. Here is hoping that Coates can continue that form into this season and beyond.
Adam Johnson (-1)
Johnson has been gone from Man City long enough to warrant a demotion on his FIFA ranking by now surely? The winger had ups and downs both on and off the pitch last year. The annual decent run of form around Christmas, including another winner against Newcastle, wasn’t enough to class last season as a good one for Johnson.
Seb Larsson (+5)
Last season’s player of the year was in superb form. Larsson was the heartbeat of the Sunderland team, improving both his goalscoring record and his defensive duties last term.
Lee Cattermole (+2)
A great season for Cattermole, one in which he almost got the recognition he deserves (outside of Sunderland). The tough-tackling midfielder was his usual all action self, and was showing form good enough for an England call-up. Cattermole now faces the challenge of keeping up this form on the back of a new six-year deal.
Jack Rodwell (-1)
A lot more was expected of Sunderland’s £10-million man. Despite three goals last season, Rodwell was not the box-to-box midfielder Gus Poyet had hoped, and ended up losing his place in the team following several niggling injuries.
Jordi Gomez (+1)
Considering he was a free transfer, Gomez had a decent season for Sunderland. He scored from the penalty spot a few times and was a composed figure when the team needed him most. Often frustrating during open play but nevertheless he was a good signing.
Liam Bridcutt (-72)
The less said about Liam Bridcutt last season the better.
Will Buckley (-3)
He has a derby assist to his name I suppose. However, he is not premier league standard and never will be. A very poor signing by Sunderland and will probably be on his way before the loan window closes.
Danny Graham (+1)
Danny Graham, he tries hard and that’s all Sunderland fans demand. He has became an unlikely favourite amongst sections of supporters, however, a lack of goals means he will never quite cut it at the club unfortunately.
Steven Fletcher (+/- 0)
A very frustrating player, finished last season joint top-scorer but could and should of ended the season with so many more goals. A potential match winner on his day but that day comes very rarely.
Jermain Defoe (-1)
A decent buy for Sunderland and grabbed himself four goals since his January move. However, he has lost a yard of pace and his best days are behind him but he can still do a job in the premier league as he proved by scoring in the opening day defeat to Leicester.
So what about the new lads? Let’s take a look…
Yann M’Vila (+1)
M’Vila has a lot of ability and has shown that throughout his career. I hope that being an integral part of the Sunderland team will allow him to show his best form in red and white.
Adam Matthews (+/- 0)
Matthews is an unknown quantity at Sunderland. With only a few brief substitute appearances to judge him on it is difficult to know how Matthews will do on Wearside following his summer move from Celtic.
Younes Kaboul (-1)
Kaboul struggled during his final season at Tottenham Hotspur, with injuries and competition for places. A move to Sunderland will hopefully turn out well but judging by his first few displays, his best form is way off.
Jeremain Lens (Rating – 79) – The winger was not included on FIFA 15 due to playing his football in Ukraine. Sunderland fans will be optimistic about his pre-season form and he will hopefully prove to be their best piece of business so far
Fabio Borini (+2) We all know what Fabio is capable of in a red & white shirt after his heroics in the 2013-14 season on loan here. A poor season at Liverpool will not have done his confidence any good but an £8-million move and a fresh start at a place he is loved may just be what the Italian needs. 
Ola Toivonen (-1) Not an awful lot is known of Toivonen apart from his impressive cameo against Aston Villa on his debut. Hopefully his time with Advocaat will help the Swede settle fast to life on Wearside following his season-long loan move from France where he underwhelmed last year. 
DeAndre Yedlin (+2) A young pace full-back with international expereince is who Sunderland signed on deadline day on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur. If given the opportunity, Yedlin may surprise many Black Cats fans this season.
