3 goalkeepers to help ease Sunderland’s growing injury crisis
Published:
In his pre-match press conference for Sunderland’s clash with Southampton this weekend, David Moyes confirmed that his injury woes had worsened in the form of Vito Mannone.
The Black Cats stopper will be ruled out for at least three months with elbow ligament damage suffered in training.
It leaves 22-year-old Jordan Pickford as Moyes’ most senior stopper and, as a result, the Scot confirmed he’ll be looking for a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
As he begins his search, here are three glove-wearers he may consider running the rule over.
Asmir Begovic
Chelsea’s backup has made it clear over the summer that he’d prefer to find more regular football elsewhere.
With three months of that guaranteed at the Stadium of Light, there’s a good chance Begovic would play himself into the number one jersey on a more permanent basis should he make the switch.
The 29-year-old made 55 saves in 1397 minutes of Premier League action last term, keeping four clean sheets in that time.
Salvatore Sirigu
Like Begovic, Sirigu has found his game time limited at a Champions League club. Paris Saint-Germain have handed Kevin Trapp the starting spot in Ligue 1, with Sirigu yet to make an appearance this season and only registering three last term.
Rumours suggest the Italian could head for a loan spell at Sevilla and while convincing him to move to the north east may be a struggle, Sunderland would offer him an almost unrivalled path to the first team.
Julian Speroni
If giving Pickford the “chance to show what he can do” is truly Moyes’ aim as he suggested to the press, then a veteran backup/third-choice stopper is all that is required.
Speroni is currently filling that role at his long-time home Crystal Palace, but may be convinced to head north with a three-month window to compete for pitch time dangling in front of him.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
