Summer window

I thought Michut tailed off a little bit toward the end of his time here. I was a big fan mid season, but he did seem to fall away a bit. Just how I saw it. Ekwah obviously cake in and looked a better prospect all round to be honest. If we paid the fee his value only increases if he plays and I am not sure I see him in the first 11. If the Bellingham deal is true then I can see why the club go that route personally. A lot more scope in him I reckon. I also think another CM will come in who is match ready. A slight change from our youth first approach would be my guess, or at least someone with a 100 games plus under their belt.

 

I think they way Ekwah played when he got into the team may have changed the thoughts on Michut. Ekwah who is built like a brick sh*thouse and can play with his feet, has the vision showed what you want in the Championship. Height is a big part of what we need. Obviously highlighted at Luton in the last game. Let’s find another Ekwah to come in.

 

Think you are right. It's no coincidence that our 1st (expected) signing of the window is a tall, physical player in Bellingham

 

I think there is a player in Matete too, hopefully can come good.
Interested to see the return of Embo to as he is a useful squad player and wether he can progress to

 

I think Matete may get another loan move. Depending who comes in we may end up selling Embo

 

Michut confirmed as leaving. Reading between lines it was his choice as Speakmans statement says “all parties agreed” rather than “we decided”.

 

Andreas Schjelderup. Benfica signed him in January from Nordsjaelland. Might be the same club Sporting signed Diomande from, also in January. Either way, I'm certain it was the Norwegian League, it's a great place for young talent at the moment:

Fofana at Chelsea moved from Molde in January.
Gift Orban moved from Stabaek to Gent In January, scored 15 goals in 14 league games at the age of 20 and is now linked with Man Utd.
Tengstedt went to Benfica for £7m
Joel Mvuka went to Lorient for £5.5m.

All of these players no older than 20. There's definitely a lot of talent over there right now and they're clearly very good in the African markets.

 

£2.5m is a bit too much for a squad player at this time in my opinion. We have Neil, Ekwah and Ba all 21 or under in that midfield who we own and need to give game time too. I'd rather sign someone with experience to compliment them, rather than another youngster who needs game time to develop further.

 

Confirmed by the club now

Sunderland AFC on Twitter: "We can confirm that Edouard Michut will return to Paris-Saint Germain following the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Thank you and best of luck, Edou! " / Twitter

 

Just my opinion, but Embo is not good enough in either of those positions for a top six chasing Championship team. Hard decisions have to be made if we are to progress in the way we want to. Some good servants and local lads will have to fall by the wayside.

 

His consistency and positional sense leave a lot to be desired and I think he's a long way behind our other 4/5 midfielders. If we're looking to bring in players of the calibre of Bellingham, then I think he'll be left behind.

 

As much as Michut is a very good player with a great attitude, that’s the reality. Hard decisions have to be made and they won’t always be popular.

(Even though you mention Embo and not Michut, the point stands!)

 

Local media reporting it as us “not taking the option” even tho all the quotes from the club seem pretty clear to me that it’s on his end, not ours.

 

Yea sounds like we'd been talking to him for a while but he's either not happy with the offer or thinks he can move up a league.
Shame he looks a good player. Improved a lot after a shaky start.

 

Remember it’s in his agents interest, PSGs interest and “arguably” his interest to not join us.

If for example Fulham want him and are willing to pay £5m, then it’s in his agents interest to convince him to turn us down and go straight there. More money for PSG means more money for agent. And let’s face it - more money for Michut.

Now you could argue that a move somewhere like Fulham isn’t right for him. BUT if he can earn like treble what we’d pay, and then get a loan back down to championship for example, he might see that as an adequate alternative to signing here permanently.

All hypothetical- but I’m just saying it’s nowhere near as simple as assuming it was our choice.

 

TBF. Michut wasn't used enough and others were given continues game time even though poor performances were on show. I would return to PSG and move on too.

Sure I said on here that we won't be signing and he would likely move onto a league above.

 

Not too disappointed about us not signing Michut. He is a tidy player but the lack of physicality was a big concern for me. Its not his size that was the concern but the lack of ground he covers, he lacks speed to make up for his side and he was often caught out in the transition. I think he will have a decent career and i wish him well but 2.5 million is a big outlay for us at the minute.

I know 2.5 million isnt a lot for PL clubs but its still a lot for us - especially when we need to bring in a couple of forwards.

Hopefully bellingham gets signed this week n then get a striker onboard early in the summer

 

I will agree to disagree with that mate, he got a run a games when Evans got injured, done well but never lit the place up, and then when Ekwah found his feet in the team that’s was it, no doubt he has talent, hopefully the lad gets the right coaching and kicks on, don’t dislike him one bit just one of those, all the best to him

 

I think he would have been used more to be honest. Did seem to get hooked first so many times even when Neil was absolutely ****e for a good period. Neil did come on strong but it will have been frustrating to not get sufficient game time during that period. Will go onto to be a top player.

 

I just think he will earn more elsewhere and develop at the same rate he would here. No hard feelings. Risk you take when you bring players on loan rather than permanent.

Im excited to see what the recruitment do instead. Jobe obviously one.