Three Players Who Simon Grayson Could Sign At Sunderland This Summer
With Simon Grayson now confirmed as the latest incumbent of the Sunderland hot seat, the question on the fans’ lips is, “who will he sign?”
The former Preston North End manager absolutely had to take the job, as he is moving to a much bigger club with a much bigger reputation and at least had to give himself the chance to impress. However, the ways things are around Wearside right now Grayson might live to regret this move.
The exodus has begun with big hitters Jordan Pickford and Jermain Defoe having already departed, and Sunderland need to move fast if they are to have the sort of squad capable of challenging for the Championship title. Here are three potential moves they could make.
Greg Cunningham (Preston North End)
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Grayson were to raid his old club and with Sunderland particularly left-back deficient, Cunningham would make an excellent acquisition. He played 40 times last season in the Championship for Preston, managing a goal and 5 assists in what was an impressive attacking performance.
Cunningham has been a real improver in the last year or two and there’s nothing to say that he won’t get better again over the next twelve months. Available at a cheap price, he could be a real steal for the Black Cats.
Aiden McGeady (Everton)
There is every chance that out of favour Everton winger Aiden McGeady may want to be involved in the promotion chase with an established club like Sunderland as he clearly still possesses plenty of ability.
McGeady had an excellent season last term at Deepdale and can clearly do it in this division. The Republic of Ireland international winger has only one year left on his Everton deal and with the Merseysiders spending big this summer, they will be happy to get him off the wage bill.
A hugely impressive 8 goals and 9 assists came in the Championship last season for McGeady at Preston and similar figures for the 31-year-old this time around may well be the thing that could send Sunderland up.
Cameron Jerome (Norwich City)
It could be a pre-season of major changes at Norwich City and while that will ultimately be good for the East Anglian side, it could also benefit one or two others. Sunderland need to quickly remember that the Championship is a league you need knowledge of if you want to get out of it, and Jerome has plenty of that.
He is a thoroughly decent striker, still going strong and to the surprise of some, he managed 16 league goals last season. That fact may have gone under the radar of many but not of the Sunderland hierarchy, who are known to have expressed an interest in Jerome, who is seen as someone who could provide the necessary firepower to take Sunderland back up.