Last-gasp signing and Premier League winner – Players who played for Sunderland and Chelsea
There have been countless stars over the years to wear the red and white stripes of Sunderland and the famous blue of Chelsea.
Sunderland face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend, looking to build on what has been an impressive start to the campaign.
After eight games, the Black Cats have accumulated 14 points, which is a tally that at this stage of the season has only ever seen one team relegated before.
With Marc Guiu set to face his former club, Mackem News takes a look at three players who played for both clubs ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
Bertrand Traore was once a Chelsea player
Bertrand Traore joined Sunderland on deadline day, just seconds before the summer window slammed shut.
As of yet, he hasn’t impressed for the Black Cats, but there will be plenty of time for him to showcase the ability he has, and has always had.
Stints at Ajax and Aston Villa brought more optimism than not for the Burkina Faso international, but well before that, he was actually on the books of Chelsea.
That was back in 2014 when he joined from Racing Club de Bobo, and immediately went on loan to Vitesse.
Traore wouldn’t stay at Chelsea for long, though, with just 16 appearances in the famous blue before he joined Lyon in a permanent deal in 2017.
Fabio Borini was a Sunderland hero
Now plying his trade in the lower leagues of English football with Salford City, Fabio Borini was a hero at Sunderland for several reasons.
His initial loan from Liverpool brought plenty of success, with his wonder goal against Newcastle on derby day one of two huge moments in a Sunderland shirt.
His other arrived in the Capital One Cup final against Man City, which ultimately ended in defeat for the Black Cats.
However, very similar to Traore, he was signed by Chelsea as a youngster back in 2009, and went on to make just eight appearances.
He failed to find the net in any of them before joining Roma in 2012.
Marcos Alonso was the one who got away for Sunderland
Marcos Alonso was a class act on the pitch for Sunderland.
However, the only regret that fans have over his stay is that it wasn’t longer.
The Spaniard joined Sunderland on a season-long loan in 2014 and thrived under Gus Poyet, playing a huge role in their miracle campaign.
After his short stint, he returned to Fiorentina before eventually joining Chelsea in 2016, where his career took a huge turn.
Alonso was a regular for years at Stamford Bridge, amassing over 200 appearances for the Blues and playing a crucial role in their Premier League triumph in 2017.
Now, the well-decorated full-back is back playing his football in Spain with Celta Vigo, after two years with Barcelona.
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