Winners and losers from Arthur Masuaku transfer to Sunderland include Dennis Cirkin
Sunderland have clearly identified the left back position as an area of focus ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Last season, Dennis Cirkin made the position his own with some high-quality early-season performances.
However, towards the end of the Championship season, the left back was exposed, and this must have been on the North East club’s mind.
Sunderland already signed a left back in Reinildo Mandava, but have now landed another one in Arthur Masuaku.
With competition fierce in that position, Mackem News identifies the biggest winners and losers from his transfer to Sunderland.
Winners from Arthur Masuaku’s transfer to Sunderland
Marc Guiu
Sunderland signed Guiu on a season-long loan from Chelsea, and he could lead the line for Regis Le Bris.
If he does, then he will need service from wide areas, which is where Masuaku comes in handy.
Last season, the 31-year-old was a regular threat down the left for Besiktas and contributed 10 assists in all competitions.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 47 | 1 | 10 |
The former West Ham man likes to get forward, and Guiu demonstrated his clinical finishing in the Europa Conference League last term.
If Masuaku and Guiu get regular minutes, then they could form a lethal partnership for the Wearsiders.
Read more: Winners and losers from Marc Guiu’s transfer to Sunderland include Wilson Isidor
Eliezer Mayenda
Mayenda has struggled in Sunderland’s pre-season, missing a penalty in their 1-0 win over Augsburg.
However, the 20-year-old contributed some match-winning performances last term, with two key goals in the play-offs.
Judging from Le Bris’ team selection this summer, the Spaniard may well be given the chance to lead the Black Cats’ line.
If he does, then, as with Guiu, linking up with Masuaku would be beneficial to driving up his numbers.
The Wearsiders will almost certainly play counter-attacking football next season, meaning the pair can thrive in that style of play.
Losers from Marc Guiu’s transfer to Sunderland
Dennis Cirkin
Cirkin has been absent from pre-season with injury and is set to miss the start of the Premier League season.
The former Tottenham man is one of the Wearsiders’ biggest success stories, having risen from League One to the top flight.
However, the 23-year-old is now up against Reinildo and Masuaku for a starting berth, but must first regain fitness.
Furthermore, there is every chance that the Englishman could depart the Stadium of Light this summer, given he has one year remaining on his contract.
Leo Fuhr Hjelde
While nobody would have been expecting Hjelde to be a regular starter, the influx of left backs surely means his time is done.
The Swede is essentially the fourth choice in his position and has been utilised as a squad player in the past.
Hjelde is adaptable and can also play as a centre back where Sunderland are lacking, but he is surely a Championship player at best.
Considering how many outcasts remain on Wearside, the 21-year-old could leave in some capacity this summer.
- Masuaku can help Sunderland’s strikers with his attacking threat
- Cirkin faces an uncertain future in the North East
- Hjelde must leave to find first-team football
While Masuaku may not be the first choice himself, he will certainly be needed given Le Bris’ injury problems.
He provides a different profile at left back and can boost Sunderland’s goal threat in the Premier League.
Sign up for the Mackem News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Sunderland AFC news sent straight to your phone.