Sunderland’s head coach, Regis Le Bris, has indicated that the club is considering the possibility of parting ways with several fringe players as they prepare for the upcoming January transfer window. This decision comes on the heels of promising defender Zak Johnson’s recent loan move to York City, where he will be lending his skills to the National League promotion contenders until early January before returning to Sunderland’s Academy of Light. Johnson, who has already accumulated four senior appearances for Sunderland and has previously had spells with clubs like Hartlepool United, Dundalk, and Notts County, is seen as an example of a player benefiting from the chance to gain experience in competitive senior football.
Robin Nicholls, the Academy Manager of the Black Cats, highlighted that Johnson’s loan provides him with an excellent opportunity to further develop in senior football and demonstrate his abilities at a competitive level, having already sampled different environments during his career. The move signifies a chance for the player to showcase his progress and for Sunderland to keep a close eye on his performances in the National League.
It’s not just Johnson who has been seeking increased senior opportunities at Sunderland in recent months. Despite welcoming 14 new faces during an active summer transfer window, several Sunderland players, including Ian Poveda, Timothee Pembele, and Abdoullah Ba, find themselves on the fringes of the first team under Le Bris’s plans. Additionally, there are young talents like Harrison Jones who are juggling between periods of inactivity and sporadic appearances for Graeme Murty’s U21 side, highlighting the need for more consistent playing time.
Le Bris addressed the situation during a press conference leading up to a Premier League clash with Liverpool, stating that the forthcoming transfer window will play a crucial role in reevaluating the squad. The head coach emphasized the need to align the club’s vision with that of the players to ensure energy and motivation within the team. He stressed the importance of managing various player projects effectively and hinted at the likelihood of moving on two, three, or four additional players who are not central to the squad’s current plans, following in the footsteps of Johnson’s temporary departure.
