Earlier this week Connor Wickham penned a five-year contract at Crystal Palace following a £9 million move from Sunderland. Since Steve Bruce clinched the then much sought after 18 year-old from Ipswich Town in 2011, the striker has had a mixed spell at Sunderland. Here we take a look at the Englishman’s time on Wearside in ‘Two Good, Two Bad’.
Two Good
FIRST GOAL
Signed by Sunderland in an £8 million deal, the pressure was on for teenage sensation Connor Wickham, signed as a replacement for Darren Bent to fire in the goals on Wearside. His first league goal, and a fine goal it was, came in a 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa, then Sunderland manager Steve Bruce stated, “How many 18-year-old’s can say that they have a Premier League goal like that? It was a great strike and he will only get better.”
THE GREAT ESCAPE
One goal in thirty-seven premier league appearances prior to the end of the 2013/14 season and Connor Wickham was called in to help save Sunderland from what appeared to be an inviolable relegation. Recalled early from a loan stint at Championship club Leeds United, Wickham was given one final chance to prove his worth at Sunderland and in the premier league. A massive turn in form for the striker led to him being named Barclays Player of the Month after Wickham’s five goals in three games aided Sunderland’s great escape and gave the Englishman the chance he craved in the first team the following season.
Two Bad
LACK OF FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL
After a significant investment in the teenager, Wickham’s first two years on Sunderland’s books did not go to plan. He struggled to break into a first-team that was struggling for goals, with many questioning his desire and commitment. He was earning a lot of money and, according to Sunderland’s former chairman Niall Quinn, was not “working hard enough” on the training pitch to merit an opportunity. With the club looking at the possibility of a poor investment and Wickham in danger of not fulfilling his potential, he was sent out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday twice and Leeds United, with many feeling his opportunity in the Premier League had faded away.
GOALSCORING RECORD
Following ‘The Great Escape’, Wickham was given a regular spot in the starting line-up, albeit he was regularly played in a left-wing role. Despite this Wickham only managed five goals in thirty-six appearances in the 2014/15 season, a poor return given his end of season form the year previous. With eleven league goals in seventy-nine appearances, Sunderland have decided to cash in on Wickham at the young age of 22. The Englishman’s time on Wearside has been a frustrating one for himself and the fans, with much more expected of a player who was labeled the next big thing during his time at Ipswich. The deal represented good value for money on Sunderland’s behalf, making a profit on their initial investment, whilst Crystal Palace are also getting a young, English striker with his best days ahead of him. The England under-21 international will also be playing in a team that may create more chances for Wickham to score, although judging by his Sunderland record he may need all the chances he can get.
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