Sunderland ace passes medical to seal Alex Neil reunion
A Sunderland promotion hero could be heading out the door before the winter window slams shut.
After splashing the cash following their promotion to the Premier League last summer, Sunderland have had a quieter winter window.
Sunderland beat Celtic to Jocelin Ta Bi’s signature, with the winger bolstering Regis Le Bris’ attacking options.
At the other end of the pitch, Sunderland snapped up goalkeeper Melker Ellborg to provide competition to first-choice stopper Robin Roefs.
And elsewhere, Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor has been linked with an exit on deadline day (2 February). Now, one of his teammates could be off, too.
End of the road for Sunderland star Anthony Patterson?
Anthony Patterson was in between the sticks for Sunderland when they won a dramatic Championship play-off final last May.
The Sunderland academy player had been a first-team regular for three straight seasons but since rising to the Premier League, summer signing Robin Roefs has usurped him on the Mackems goal.
And with Ellborg arriving from Malmo this week, 25-year-old Patterson is third choice at the Stadium of Light.
Incidentally, back in 2022, Alex Neil guided Sunderland to a League One play-off promotion, before swiftly joining Stoke City. Now, Patterson, who secured his Sunderland breakthrough under Neil, could be reunited with his old boss.
According to Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley, Patterson has passed his medical at Millwall, where Neil now manages.
Millwall are fifth in the Championship table and sit just eight points off the automatic promotion spots, highlighting the excellent work Neil is doing at The Den.
And Patterson will now hope to be part of another promotion party.
- Read more: Another Sunderland exit on the cards after Dan Neil as negotiations take place for transfer
Patterson’s demotion highlights path Sunderland are on
In the first half of last season, Patterson had one of the best goalkeeping records in the Championship, not far off the likes of Burnley’s James Trafford and Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper.
But as the campaign progressed, Cooper made a number of mistakes as Sunderland’s season threatened to unravel.
The Mackems secured an unlikely promotion in the end but heading into the Premier League, Sunderland were always going to target a new keeper.
Roefs was signed and he has been a revelation, with the 23-year-old playing a huge role in Sunderland sitting comfortably in mid table.
And with 22-year-old Ellborg joining as his backup, that leaves Patterson out in the cold. A similar fate is happening to some of their Championship contingent, who are falling out of favour in the Premier League. Luke O’Nien, Dan Neil, and Eliezer Mayenda are also examples of that.
Incidentally, Patterson still has more than two years left on his contract, so Sunderland may look to try and sell him this summer, as he would go down as pure profit on the balance sheet due to his homegrown status.
But if he is to go, many Sunderland fans will remember him fondly after enjoying two promotions over 169 appearances.