Each Sunderland fan, after all, has their favorite Sunderland participant. Whether or not that’s somebody who hasn’t performed in 60 years or 60 hours, there’s all the time a member of a staff that stays with you (I’m seeing a Luke O’Nien stand someplace in our stadium’s future).
Nevertheless, in our first season again within the Premier League, it’s arguably extra attention-grabbing to search out out which Sunderland gamers have made an impression on non-Sunderland followers.
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So, listed here are some ‘scorching takes’ from these non-Sunderland followers, adopted by their staff and their age, simply so you can also make a extra superior judgment.
Dan Ballard
‘My favorite Sunderland participant is Dan Ballard. I believe he actually embodies Sunderland to me and I believe he’s a very robust defensive chief. Watching him rating that objective towards Coventry within the playoffs final yr nonetheless offers me chills, actually unimaginable.’ – Manchester Metropolis, 21
Granit Xhaka
‘Both Xhaka as a result of he’s been signing of the season (apart from Eze and Madueke) or Wilson [Isidor] as a result of he’s shocked me how good he really is.’ – Arsenal, 21
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‘Granit Xhaka is a participant with talent, expertise and battle. His switch to Sunderland reveals the membership’s ambition to cement itself as a fierce competitor and Premier League common. He’ll take Sunderland far – doubtlessly to Europe?’ – Aston Villa, 21
‘Xhaka is only a full participant. From an out of doors perspective he’s supplied composure for all the staff, which has probably helped for being so excessive up within the desk. You may see why he’s acquired the armband. Prime Barclays may be again.’ – Blackburn Rovers, 20
Darren Bent
‘As a Manchester United supporter, something that brings Liverpool down a peg or two is all the time going to be cherished. Which means my favorite Sunderland participant of all time is former striker Darren Bent.
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It’s now 16 years in the past when Liverpool got here to the Stadium of Mild to discover a staff that was too good for them. Nevertheless, the sport was selected, doubtlessly, essentially the most controversial objective since Maradona’s 1986 ‘Hand of God’ objective. After a Liverpool supporter threw a seaside ball onto the pitch, which ultimately blew into the Reds’ field, ex Spurs and England striker Bent took a shot in the direction of objective with Pepe Reina wanting to reserve it comfortably till the balls collided and the soccer diverted previous the helpless keeper!
A objective that can be remembered eternally, hit by a striker who was all the time a predator within the field, performed for England however all the time talks about his time at Sunderland with fond reminiscences (as I take heed to him on Discuss Sport) – a category act!’ – Manchester United, 50
Will Grigg
‘Will Grigg performed for Wigan, completed 25 in Europe’s finest participant in a League One facet, and has one of the best soccer chant of all time…’ – Wigan, 18
Kevin Phillips
‘Apologies for instantly making this in regards to the Baggies, however after I consider Phillips, I can’t assist wallow within the glory of storming into the Prem in 2008. Then (after 10-Quarter-hour of crying with my head in my arms, realising I’ll by no means see these heights once more in my lifetime), I’ve to understand Phillip’s simple function in getting us there. He was an absolute machine: 22 targets in his first season, two hat-tricks, and naturally the Participant of the Yr.
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Not being a Sunderland fan, I’m considerably gradual to think about the 113 targets he put into the again of the online for you, however I do suppose that’s precisely why they have been so determined to claw him again. So in case you’re searching for an goal reply, right here you’ve discovered it: Our Tremendous-Kev’ – West Bromwich Albion, 20
Brian Brobbey
‘My favorite participant is Brobbey as he appears to be like essentially the most pleasant due to his smile, which is additional confirmed by the actual fact he has not obtained a single yellow card or pink card this Premier League season, we ignore the fouls dedicated stat – it’s cancelled out by fouls suffered!’ – Celtic, 21
Reinildo
‘Reinildo as he acquired me some FPL factors at the beginning of the season earlier than getting despatched off!’ – Liverpool, 20
Jermain Defoe
‘Defoe for me for certain. I believe the entire Bradley factor is so heartwarming and exquisite. The actual fact he scored that insane volley towards Newcastle and stored you guys up is sick. Plus, my [Sunderland supporting] household loves him.’ – Liverpool, 21
Nordi Mukiele
‘I’m a Newcastle fan, so it’s exhausting for me to say I like several Sunderland participant, however I do suppose Nordi Mukiele is a superb participant. He’s very strong, robust and has settled into the Premier League very effectively and is vital to how Sunderland defend to make them exhausting to interrupt down.’ – Newcastle, 18
Sebastian Larsson
‘Sebastian Larsson is likely one of the finest free-kick takers I’ve ever seen within the Premier League. He additionally didn’t cease working and was so harmful from set items. Completely nice to look at rising up in 2012’ – Burnley, 19