First O'Shea and now.......... CARLOS CUELLAR wants to stay at Sunderland next season - even if the Black Cats are relegated from the Premier League. Cuellar is one of eight players who are out of contract at the end of the campaign, with the likelihood that all of that group will be released if Sunderland fail to secure what would be a miraculous escape from the drop zone. Sunderland have not held any talks with the 32-year-old over the possibility of a fresh deal, with the Spaniard only making his first appearance since November in Monday nightâs 5-1 rout at Tottenham. With fellow centre-halves John OâShea, Wes Brown and Valentin Roberge also contracted for next season, it will not be the most pressing priority for Gus Poyet to keep Cuellar among those defensive ranks. But there remains the possibility that Cuellar could be offered a contract extension on reduced terms and the former Aston Villa man has made it clear that he would be keen to remain at the Stadium of Light. Cuellar said: âI donât know what will happen next season. âI would like to be here whatever division we are in but I donât know what is going to happen with me because my contract is finished in the summer. âMy main thing that I am thinking about is to try to keep the club in the Premier League. I am not asking the club what they are doing because the main focus has to be on this season. âI donât know what is going to happen, but I am really happy at Sunderland and I want to play more games for Sunderland.â
With the 40% wage deduction id be ok with Cuellar staying. He did well the other night and would be excellent in the championship. We'd struggle to get a better pairing than Cuellar and Brown in the championship. Think/hope Oshea will be shown the door. Who knows about Roberge but I think hed be good at that level at centre back or left back. Would like a young centre back brought in who could learn from the experience of Brown and Cuellar.
I reckon we'll see Brown and Cuellar staying, and a few of our youth team stepping up (Laing and Egan) Will be the same across the squad imo, with some senior players leaving (Feltcher, Ki, Gardner, Larsson) and players like Watmore, Knott, Wickham (he will be decent in the championship), Honeyman etc making the step up. Might actually be a good thing, allowing us to rebuild properly (with a plan and football philosophy in mind) and use the development squad to full effect
Chance to meet one or two that may remain. Special signing session at the SoL this afternoon. A trio of Sunderland’s South American stars will meet Black Cats fans in the club store at the Stadium of Light today. Striker Ignacio Scocco, defender Santiago Vergini and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari will meet supporters and sign autographs at the special session, scheduled to coincide with the Easter school holidays. The Argentinian trio will be on hand at the flagship stadium store from 4pm – 5pm today (Wednesday 9th April). Speaking ahead of the visit, Ignacio Scocco said: “Sunderland fans have made us all feel so so welcome since we arrived at the club and we are really looking forward to meeting everyone. http://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2014/april/meet-trio-in-store
considering Ustari and Vergini are away at the end of the season rather strange... (Only on 6 month contracts)
Aye, was going from the development squad list so missed those 2. does anyone know what our development squad full backs are like? If Bardo goes, Alonso decides to leave and Dossena is given the heave ho then those position (as usual) will be out weakest. I cant see colback or gardner staying to play in those positions.
Think Borini effect has been reading some of the same rumours as myself, regarding the young lads, seems an axe maybe taken to the squad. Only rumours.
As far as im aware Bardo/Alonso are gone Dossena was only on a 12 month contract... Leaving us with Connor Oliver or Jordan Watson...who are to young to be introduced to the Championship imo... I agree with the above post that Colback and Gardner will also be away Going to be a very bare thin squad in the summer Fortunately the players who are out of contract should leave a MASSIVE hole in the wage budget meaning we have enough to get some bosmans at the very least
I'm happy for Carlos to stay at Championship level, he's solid enough. I think we'll keep the 3 Argies too, a drop might see Vergini do a Collocini, you never know.
Carlos will be fine in the Championship, He's a safe, no ****, no mess, safety first defender, problem is that he's not comfortable on the ball and he can't pass and simply won't slot into the philosophy that Gus will build around. No contract from me.
I like Vergini, I'm giving allowances for the **** storm he's walked into and the league he needs to adapt to. So long as he tunes his defensive skills because he's very comfortable on the ball and can pick a forward pass better than most of our midfielder. He actually see beyond our DM to make a pass.
I agree, see a decent player in there, give him time, work on his timing & positioning, could be a great CB.
Apparently Gus wanted him at Brighton but he wouldn't come unless it was for Premiership football, will he be more inclined to join us now in the championship now he's had a sobering baptism of fire in the Prem? Or do you think he'll run from English footy all together? He's a free agent in the summer isn't he?
Impossible to tell mate. Now, the easy option for him would be to go to Spain where generally the games a bit slower and CB's get some thinking time, but as I mentioned before, the Colocinni effect, he was ****ing woeful Premier League, dropped down a year, had a blinder, and carried it on for 3-4 years as an excellent CB in the Prem. If Vergini wants to make it in England, there's a chance for him to find his feet, if not, he can go to Spain, at a mid ranked team (Osasuna, Celta Vigo level) and play out his career as an also ran. I think his choice will show a lot, if he decides to bail, then so be it, but I'd like to see him sign a 1 year deal, with the club holding an option if we go up.
Carols has a very bad injury record when playing consistantly, he's very slow and very error prone so its a no from me. Even with a big pay cut he'd still be on about 10k a week. Id rather put that towards a younger talented Cb.
