One Sunderland star has been slammed after another underwhelming performance against Bristol City.
Sunderland played out their second 0-0 stalemate in four games at the weekend, failing to put away any of their 20 shots at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats’ performance was much improved than the howler they put on against Blackburn Rovers, but they still remain with only one win in their last ten matches.
Jack Clarke, Chris Rigg and Leo Hjelde were all brought back into the starting line-up, with the former two really impressing despite their failure to score.
Hjelde replaced Callum Styles, who has had a nightmare of it at left-back since joining the club, however his Norwegian teammate hasn’t been much better.
The 20-year-old was left out of the line-up for games against Cardiff and Blackburn, but was given a second chance against Bristol City.
However, Hjelde seemed to instead confirm his position on the bench for the rest of the campaign after a poor display on home soil.
Sunderland ace did absolutely ‘pathetically’
Sunderland Echo’s James Copley had already described the full-back as Sunderland’s ‘worst player’ against the Robins, and journalist Michael Graham has now heaped criticism on him too.
Writing on X, Graham said: “I know patience is part of the process now and Sunderland buy players for what they can be in two years, not what they necessarily are now (whole other debate), but if you pull out of 50/50s as pathetically as he did yesterday, you’re never making it at #SAFC.”
The defender made five clearances against Bristol City, but failed to make a single block, interception or tackle. He wasn’t much better going forward either – making zero crosses, zero key passes and zero successful dribbles.
Hjelde has no chance against Sunderland’s ‘game-changer’ next season
Leo Hjelde would most likely never have joined Sunderland if it wasn’t for our lengthy injury list, having had three left-backs sidelined earlier this year.
The Norway U21 international would have to impress if he was to keep his place in the team once everyone returned, but Aji Alese only had to make a 24 minute cameo at the weekend to solidify his swift return to the starting line-up.
The West Ham academy product was ‘excellent’ when he came on and will undoubtedly already be ahead of Hjelde in the pecking order.
Once next season comes around, it would be hugely surprising if Hjelde had any chance at a spot in the team ahead of Alese and Dennis Cirkin.
It’s really not looking very good for him, but I don’t remember being too excited about Jack Clarke until he signed permanently either. Time will tell.