Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland got a few January transfer deals over the line. But Speakman may be ruing not pulling the trigger on one reported target.
Sunderland left their January transfer business quite late.
They gave themselves a lot of work to do in the New Year after sacking Tony Mowbray, then going about a fairly frantic managerial search before landing on the uninspiring Michael Beale.
Sunderland sacked Beale last month, shortly after the January transfer window which saw the Black Cats sign Leo Hjelde, Callum Styles and Romaine Mundle.
All have received mixed reviews so far with Styles having struggled for Sunderland since arriving on loan from Barnsley.
Sunderland needed a midfielder
Apart from the ongoing need for a striker, Sunderland could really have done with a holding midfielder.
Since Corry Evans’ injury last year, Sunderland have hadn’t someone in the middle of the park who can put in a god defensive shift.
Pierre Ekwah perhaps has the skillset to do so, but right now the Frenchman lacks the work ethic, with Michael Graham criticising Ekwah for his inability to do the dirty work.
Sunderland failed to sign a holding, tackling midfield in January, but they were linked with a return for former player Yann M’Vila.
Yann M’Vila signs for West Brom after Sunderland links
Sunderland were linked with M’Vila in January.
The former French international and one-time Sunderland loan man was released by Olympiacos at the end of last season.
Sunderland and Speakman wouldn’t pull the trigger on the 33-year-old M’Vila, who instead signed for West Brom.
M’Vila made his debut against Bristol City last weekend, coming off the bench for 10 minutes but managing to show his class in that short time.
M’Vila, described as a ‘positive’ player by Baggies boss Carlos Corberan, won 2 out of 2 duels after coming on, completing 5 out of 8 passes, with 1 interception and a Sofascore raring of 6.7 for his brief cameo.
West Brom reporter Lewis Cox said M’Vila had an ‘impressive’, albeit brief debut cameo.
Kristjaan Speakman should’ve pulled the trigger on Yann M’Vila
Sunderland needed a central midfielder in January.
They needed an M’Vila-type player to provide some steel in the middle of the park and recent defeats and poor defensive displays have proved that point.
And M’Vila has shown at West Brom that, whilst he may take time to get up to full speed, he remains a player with the ability to shore up the midfield.
Sunderland fans have seen with their own eyes that M’Vila can dominate a midfield with his physicality and dictate play with his passing.
And it may be safe to assume that Sunderland snubbed M’Vila for a couple of reasons; his lack of match fitness, which is understandable, but also his age.
At 33, he’s well out of the age range of players that Sunderland want.
But there’s a distinct lack of experience in this struggling Sunderland side. If M’Vila could’ve had the rest of this season to get up to fitness then come next season, Sunderland would’ve had a top, top midfielder on their hands, and another key component of the XI sorted.
Speakman may well be ruing this missed opportunity.