Sunderland ‘already have Watson replacement’ as Wearside frustration emerges
Tommy Watson’s move to Brighton has caused plenty of controversy at Sunderland.
Sunderland‘s only focus for now will be on achieving success via the Championship playoffs, with their upcoming clash with Oxford giving them the chance to take some momentum into it.
Only once they know where their fate lies will they make any considerations ahead of the summer transfer window.
With Watson set to depart to Brighton in £10million deal, Sunderland will need someone to fill the gap left by the 19-year-old, though they may already have him at the club.
Adil Aouchiche could be Sunderland’s answer to Watson exit
Adil Aouchiche has spent the year on loan with Portsmouth, though the Frenchman is expected to return to Sunderland come the end of the campaign.
Having had his game time limited under Regis Le Bris, it was becoming increasingly more difficult for him to stake a claim for his place in the side, but Ian Darke believes he has the attributes to thrive in a wide area, which has typically been where the Black Cats have been short.
Speaking to Pompey News, he said: “Aouchiche has very quick feet, but I wouldn’t say he’s a number 10. I reckon he’s more effective on the wing. He works his socks off, tracks back in the same mould as Callum Lang, but maybe just hasn’t impacted games as much as he’d have liked.
| Championship | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Aouchiche | 20 | 1 | 2 |
“From what I’ve heard, I think Sunderland fans generally rate him but have been frustrated by his lack of end product. But what I will say is that for a loan player, he seems very integrated into the group, and he’s a popular member of the squad who has bought into the project.”
Of course, any inclusion for Aouchiche will depend firstly on which division Sunderland are in, with a return to the Premier League still on the cards.
Sunderland must make some hard decisions this summer
If Sunderland are successful in their pursuit of Premier League football, there are a lot of players who will need shifting away from the Stadium of Light.
Though that is still going to be the case even if they don’t, with the likes of Luis Hemir, Abdoullah Ba and Aouchcihe among those set to return to Wearside.
A failure to get promoted would see Sunderland lose several key players, and they may not be able to afford to rely on those already at the club to make the immediate step up in their absence.