I was sceptical throughout with the numbers not getting to what BL wanted and for a good while it appeared that this would be the case. Looked like we just upped it to get it over the line. He will demand standards, looks to be exactly what we need.
He’s KLDs first choice signing to be fair. He’d have seen BL weren’t really budging in total fee so just thought he may well stump up the cash. Excellent signing for a newly promoted club this. He wouldn’t look out of place for someone like Villa.
Everybody saying he is Sunderland through and through etc but do we think he will mope around to see his contract out costing the club a tidy little sum or will he happily move on to probably a smaller club or does he sign a new contract and fight for a place here?
This Xhaka deal is more than just signing a player. It looks like he will be staying on to join the coaching staff when he hangs up his boots. If this young goalie joins I think it will give Patterson a chance. If we had signed Petrovic he would be the number 1 end of but this young lad and Patterson may not be so far apart. I think Roef will start as number 1 but Patterson will not be written off and depending on how things go may well get a chance to regain first choice spot.
I had a good watch of our two new central midfielders last night. Some lovely touches and good work rate but they need a Xhaka beside them and behind them as they adjust. I think Sadiki in particular will need time. Seems a great lad with all the resources but he needs to learn from a master. I’d say the same of Ballard and Seelt and Mayenda. They need to be around better/more ready to adjust.