Read Sunderland bring you the first of a two-part feature looking back at the transfer activity done by Lee Congerton and Dick Advocaat this summer at Sunderland. In our first part, we will be looking at the departures from the Stadium of Light and seeing just how well or bad Sunderland did.
Connor Wickham
The highest profile departure was no doubt young striker Connor Wickham, who joined Crystal Palace in a £9-million deal. The forward was a cult hero for the Black Cats back in the 2013-14 season, when his 5 goals in 3 games saved Sunderland from relegation after they pulled off ‘The Great Escape’. Wickham was given his long-awaited chance to shine at Sunderland following years of frustration on Wearside and at first it looked like he would take it. However, following his flurry of goals, they soon dried up once expectations grew. The 2014-15 season did not work out for Wickham, with the forward forced out left for the good of the team, he only managed 5 goals for the entire campaign.
Surprisingly, the Englishman signed a new contract in December 2014 but this did not stop his departure from Sunderland this summer. Crystal Palace tempted Sunderland with an astronomical offer for a player who has underwhelmed up north and the player signed a five-year deal at Selhurst Park. The England Under-21 International is yet to open his Crystal Palace account, and whilst there is undoubted potential there, Sunderland appear to have done great business in offloading one of their top earners for a £1-million profit.
Emanuele Giaccherini
Earlier this week Giaccherini brought his Sunderland career to a temporary (and probably permanent) end. The Italian returned to his native Serie A, where he joined Bologna on a season-long loan deal. The Italian club is covering his wages and have paid a loan fee to Sunderland for the privilege. The little midfielder has had a mixed time on Wearside, blighted by injuries and a seat on the bench. Another player who has undoubted skill but for one reason or another could not find a regular place in a struggling Sunderland side. The Italian International scored 5 goals during his stay in Wearside in just over 40 appearances. Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat spoke earlier in the window of his frustration with Giaccherini,
“I understand the interest from Italy. My personal view is that Giaccherini is not a player for England.”
“He is a great talent, a good touch, good passing, but you don’t get the time to do that in England.”
Santiago Vergini
Santi arrived and departed Sunderland this summer. His loan move was made permanent due to an obligatory purchase clause inserted by then manager Gus Poyet. However, Verging failed to impress new manager Dick Advocaat, who subsequently loaned him out to Spanish side Getafe for the season with a view to a permanent move next summer. Vergini is a frustrating figure, a player who likes to play out of defence but lacks the skill to do so. A move was always likely after Dick Advocaat’s comments on the Argentinian at the tail end of last season. Advocaat said, “I don’t want to go on with him, with all respect. I’m sorry for Santi, but he has to go and find another club.”
However, with the Black Cats struggling significantly in defence so far this campaign could Vergini have provided some much-needed competition?
Anthony Reveillere
The first to depart the Stadium of Light was French International right-back Anthony Reveillere. Despite a decent start to his Sunderland career, after signing on a free transfer on a one-year deal in 2014, the Frenchman struggled for game time. Again, Sunderland are lacking competition for places at present in defence, and Reveillere would have provided experienced cover for the full-back positions. Dick Advocaat did not feel the need to keep the 35-year old despite initially agreeing a contract extension. The Frenchman is currently still without a club and is available on a free transfer, would you bring him back on another year-long deal?
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