Gus Poyet shares what Sunderland must not do in January amid ‘tricky’ admission
Gus Poyet has told Sunderland they must avoid the urge to cash in on prized assets such as Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham amid anticipated January transfer interest.
The duo of Rigg and Bellingham have both had impressive starts to the season under head coach Regis Le Bris and have attracted interest from Europe’s elites.
Rigg especially has caught the eye of several clubs with his mature performances at just 17 years old, including Manchester United as reported previously in the Manchester Evening News (25 September).
Former Black Cats boss Poyet, speaking to Football League World (10 October), thinks it is imperative Sunderland keep their squad together, saying: “You want to keep all the young talent you have as Sunderland have started the season so well.
“You can see the coach is doing a great job by the freedom in which the players are playing and the goals and creative football Sunderland are playing.
“With the current league table, Sunderland need to keep hold of their players as they can keep in the promotion hunt as it seems there isn’t a team who will run away with the title this season.
“January is always a tricky transfer window, but the main thing for a team like Sunderland is to ensure all players are kept because this season has started so well and they can maintain a promotion push in the second half of the season and don’t want to lose any players who have helped them get into the position they are in now.”
Sunderland must be brave this upcoming January
It has been a very positive start to life under Le Bris for Sunderland however the club can not rest on their laurels and allow levels to drop and January will have a huge part to play in that for several reasons.
Not only will it prove key that Sunderland add additional quality to their side when and where applicable, it is arguably even more important that they retain the services of the talent they already have at the club.
Jobe and Rigg aren’t the only players to have been linked with moves away in recent months, but also the likes of Trai Hume, Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil are all tipped to make big moves and further their careers.
Unless a ludicrous amount of money is offered, Sunderland simply have to avoid this interest and keep the squad together to have any real chance of achieving their ultimate goal of promotion.
In other Sunderland news, a former Black Cats favourite as given his view on a new appointment at the Stadium of Light.
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