How are the 13 players on loan away from Sunderland this season getting on?
Sunderland’s recruitment drive since returning to the Premier League has been considerable, and the same goes for the number of players leaving the club during that time.
That, of course, includes loan players, and right now, the Black Cats have no fewer than 13 players away from the Stadium of Light on a temporary basis. Here, we’ve taken a look at how they’ve all been getting on at their loan homes.
Sunderland loan review
Simon Adingra (AS Monaco)
Only months after joining the club, Simon Adingra was shipped out on loan to AS Monaco as Sunderland signed Nilson Angulo. Adingra struggled to adapt at the Stadium of Light, registering just one goal and no assists in 15 appearances across all competitions. However, the Ivorian looks more comfortable in his new surroundings, scoring three goals in seven Ligue 1 outings - including a brace in Monaco’s 3-1 win over Nantes in February. If he carries on like this, Monaco will surely trigger their £16m buy option at the end of the loan.
Anthony Patterson (Millwall)
Dropping Anthony Patterson this season was an incredibly harsh move from Regis Le Bris, given the key role he’d played in Sunderland’s promotion. But Robin Roefs has been one of the Premier League’s signings of the season so far, so you really can’t criticise the Black Cats boss.
Patterson joined Millwall in January in a bid to get more minutes, and after sitting out his first two games on the bench, he’s since played seven straight Championship games. The 25-year-old has looked as solid as ever in the Championship, keeping three clean sheets as Millwall have won four, lost two and drawn one of his appearances, sitting just two points off the automatic promotion spots. Patterson has averaged a very healthy 70.8% save rate and just one goal conceded per 90 minutes.
Dan Neil (Ipswich Town)
Like Patterson, Dan Neil was an unfortunate casualty of Sunderland’s summer recruitment drive after being such an important player. The midfielder has been rotated in and out of the Ipswich Town starting line-up since joining on loan in January, but he’s averaged 1.45 chances created, 49.1 successful passes and 6.29 duels won per 90 in the Championship.
Neil has helped the Tractor Boys close the gap on Boro in second to just two points, with a game in hand. With his contract up at the end of the season, he might be eyeing a Premier League return at Portman Road.
Jenson Seelt (Wolfsburg)
Jenson Seelt was never fully able to hold down a place at SAFC, so it was no surprise to see him leave for Wolfsburg on loan last summer. It’s been a mixed bag for the Dutchman, who was solid in wins over Gladbach and Union Berlin, but was sent off in the DFB-Pokal against Holstein Kiel, and scored an own goal and conceded a penalty in the same match as Wolfsburg lost 4-3 at home to Freiburg. Seelt hasn’t played since that match due to a knee injury, while Wolfsburg have been on the slide, all the way down to 17th in the Bundesliga.
Arthur Masuaku (Lens)
The second summer arrival to leave quickly on loan, Arthur Masuaku only played four times for Sunderland as Reinildo Mandava dominated the left-back spot, before swiftly heading off to Lens. The DR Congo international hasn’t enjoyed much more success there, though, playing just one minute in Ligue 1 and nine minutes in the Coupe de France, otherwise sitting as an unused substitute for the side sitting second in the French top-flight.
Leo Hjelde (Sheffield United)
After being a bit-part player for a couple of years at Sunderland, Leo Hjelde joined Sheffield United on loan in January. The move to Bramhall Lane has only marginally improved his situation, with the Norwegian full-back playing 51 minutes across five appearances since. 31 minutes in a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City in mid-March was his most substantial outing yet.
Timothee Pembele (Le Havre)
Timothee Pembele rejoined Le Havre for another loan in January after playing there last season. He’s made seven Ligue 1 appearances since, including two starts, but has only been on the winning side once.
Alan Browne (Middlesbrough)
Alan Browne has been a huge success for Middlesbrough, but not necessarily as a central midfielder. The Republic of Ireland international has played there at times, but Kim Hellberg has often had him covering at full-back, on the wing, in attacking midfield, and even as a makeshift No.9 when the game requires it. He’s been hugely valuable to their promotion push.
Aji Elese (Portsmouth)
Ajibola Alese's winter loan to Portsmouth has been frustrating so far. The centre-back has only managed four minutes of Championship action and picked up a yellow card in the process, before sustaining a thigh injury that has sidelined him until early April.
Nazariy Rusyn (Arka Gdynia)
Nazariy Rusyn has found a steady rhythm during his loan spell in Poland with Arka Gdynia, netting four goals in 19 appearances so far. His playing time has noticeably dropped off in recent weeks.
Niall Huggins (Wycombe Wanderers)
Niall Huggins has experienced a somewhat inconsistent loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers so far, making 16 appearances across all competitions, with fluctuating playing time. However, he recently peaked with a standout 90-minute display in a 4-0 thrashing of Doncaster, helping Wycombe stay on the fringes of the League One play-off race.
Luis Semedo (Moreirense)
After initially settling for brief substitute cameos, Luis Semedo has recently established himself as a regular starter for Moreirense, contributing two goals in 16 appearances during a progressive loan spell in Portugal.
Zak Johnson (York City)
Zak Johnson has become an integral fixture in a dominant York City side during his loan from Sunderland, quickly transitioning from early substitute appearances to a reliable 90-minute regular, who has contributed one goal across 19 appearances. York are second in the National League, with Johnson helping toward the division’s second-best defensive record.
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