Sunderland continues to search for a new striker in the transfer window. In the meantime, Eliezer Mayenda has received support to make a significant impact until the club secures a new number nine.
Last season was challenging for the Black Cats, who finished 16th in the Championship. Their struggle to score goals, with Jack Clarke being the notable exception, was considered a major factor in their disappointing performance.
| Championship standings 2023/24 | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 9 | Coventry City | 46 | 11 | 64 |
| 10 | Preston North End | 46 | -11 | 63 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 46 | 2 | 62 |
| 12 | Cardiff City | 46 | -17 | 62 |
| 13 | Millwall | 46 | -10 | 59 |
| 14 | Swansea City | 46 | -6 | 57 |
| 15 | Watford | 46 | 0 | 56 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 46 | -2 | 56 |
Sunderland gem set for Aston Villa medical, deal could be finalised this weekend
Sunderland has managed to retain all of their key players so far.
The first-team squad boasts an array of exciting young talent that has caught the attention of Premier League clubs this summer. Despite mixed opinions among Sunderland fans, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman deserves recognition for assembling a highly valuable group of players.
Players like Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham, Anthony Patterson, Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, and Pierre Ekwah have all attracted interest from the Premier League or top European clubs during this transfer window.
However, Sunderland has yet to sell any of these sought-after stars. Journalist Phil Smith has suggested that Sunderland could follow Coventry City’s example by selling one in-demand player and reinvesting the proceeds into the squad.
Now, it seems that one Sunderland player is on the verge of leaving, though it is not a member of the first team.
Sunderland starlet Mason Cotcher set for Aston Villa medical
Sunderland appears poised to lose Elliot Embleton this summer, with recent news revealing that he is undergoing a medical with Blackpool after a few inconsistent years for the midfielder. Additionally, another Sunderland academy player, Mason Cotcher, might soon follow Embleton out of the Stadium of Light. Reports indicate that Cotcher is set for a medical with Aston Villa.
According to The Telegraph, Cotcher, 17, will undergo his medical at Aston Villa on Friday, with the clubs having agreed on a package for his transfer to Villa Park. The report also mentions that the deal could be finalized over the weekend, coinciding with Sunderland’s start to the 2024/25 Championship season away against Cardiff City.
Why Sunderland have failed in Mason Cotcher to Aston Villa
Mason Cotcher, a standout in Sunderland’s youth ranks and attracting Premier League attention, is precisely the type of player the club wants in their first team.
However, Sunderland has failed to promote Cotcher, and now he is set to leave without ever making a first-team appearance. This situation mirrors that of Chris Rigg, who also excelled in the academy and attracted Premier League interest. Unlike Cotcher, Rigg got a chance to play for the first team and is now poised to become a valuable asset for Sunderland.
Kristjaan Speakman might regret losing Cotcher to Aston Villa, but this should serve as a valuable lesson for him and the club.