(Credit: Imago)

Sunderland look to keeper Van der Sar reckons can be best in world amid Patterson news

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

03 Aug 2025, 2:38 am

Sunderland are set to enter the Premier League season with a new look team after a summer of substantial spending.

The Black Cats have spent more than £100million, with the midfield the main area of focus during the window.

In goal, Robin Roefs has arrived at the Stadium of Light after completing a surprise move from NEC Nijmegen.

Now, news involving Anthony Patterson means that the Wearsiders could bring in another goalkeeper, who has come in for significant praise from Edwin van der Sar.

Roefs is expected to start the season in goal (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland interested in Dmytro Riznyk

Patterson is set to fight Roefs for a place in Regis Le Bris' starting 11 despite being the Wearsiders' number one for three and a half seasons.

Like most of Sunderland's play-off winning side, the shot-stopper now faces a battle for minutes in the Premier League.

Roefs represents a different profile to Patterson and has demonstrated his commanding ability to stop crosses.

Patterson and Roefs' 2024/25 statistics compared (Credit: FBRef)

While it may have seemed that the Black Cats' business was done between the sticks, reports suggest otherwise.

That is because Patterson's injury may force Sunderland into signing a second goalkeeper this month, according to Alan Nixon via Sun on Sunday's print edition (3 August, page 58).

He reports that Le Bris rested the 25-year-old last week, hoping for an improvement in his knee problem.

However, if the Newcastle-born shot-stopper is sidelined, the North East club could revive their interest in Shakhtar Donetsk's Dmytro Riznyk.

Patterson is set to miss the start of the campaign (Credit: Imago).

Van der Sar heaps immense praise on Riznyk

Riznyk has been Shakhtar's number one for several seasons and has been capped three times by Ukraine.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old has European experience, having played in the Champions League and Europa League.

Former Man United goalkeeper Van der Sar previously stated that Riznyk could become one of the best in the world in his position, according to dynamo.kyiv.ua (18 March).

Replying to that praise, Riznyk said: “It’s nice, but for this, you need to work and work again. These are good words from a legend. Everything depends on me."

Riznyk has Champions League experience
The Ukrainian has played at international level
He has been tipped to be one of the world's best

Signing another quality shot-stopper would certainly be a bold move by the Wearsiders and would mean intense competition.

It would also surely mean the end for one of Le Bris' squad players, with Simon Moore and Blondy Nna Noukeu outcasts.

With the Premier League opener looming, the Black Cats must act fast if they want another goalkeeper.

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Anthony Patterson

Dmytro Riznyk