Sunderland and Newcastle, despite finishing just one spot apart in the Premier League standings, enter next season on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Newcastle made history— in all the wrong ways— by becoming the most expensive team to ever be relegated. Owner Mike Ashley spent £80million on underperforming players last season and now the Magpies have limited resources and a squad that has failed to establish cohesion.
Conversely, Sunderland finished strong to ensure Premier League involvement next year. The club’s U21 team also placed second only behind Manchester United in the Premier League U21 standings.
Manager Sam Allardyce can augment the hate between the clubs even more by cherry-picking some of Newcastle’s best players.
Here are the three Magpies that Sunderland should target…
Daryl Janmaat
Deandre Yedlin showed potential at right back this season, but his future with Newcastle is uncertain as he is on loan from Tottenham. For security purposes, Sunderland must find an experienced right-back.
Janmaat can be that cushion. The attack-minded right back won the North East Player of the Year award in 2015, and he previously voiced his desire to leave Newcastle if they were relegated.
Sunderland need reinforcements in defence after allowing the second-most goals of any team in the Premier League last season. Acquiring an accomplished right-back who is eager to play in a top league seems like an ideal fit.
Aleksandar Mitrović
Aside from Jermain Defoe’s 15 goals, Sunderland struggled to find production from their strikers last term. Mitrović is a young, prolific goal-scorer that the Black Cats could implement immediately.
At 21-years-old, the Serbian has all the makings of a star attacker. He has the ability win balls aerially, can create goals at will and play multiple positions.
Defoe starred last season for Sunderland, but he will only keep that pace for so long. Mitrovic would complement the attack well and eventually replace Defoe as the squad’s lead striker.
Sean Longstaff
The 19-year-old has risen through the Newcastle system as a promising central midfield prospect. Sunderland need reinforcements in midfield, but acquiring Georginio Wijnaldum or Moussa Sissoko isn’t realistic.
Newcastle are keen to keep both players, and acquiring one of them would break Sunderland’s £14million club record transfer fee.
Longstaff provides long-term impact at a far more manageable price.
