Sunderland – Who to look out for

Jozy Altidore – Many think that Sunderland signing, Jozy Altidore, is a wasted talent. The fact that he scored as a 16-year-old for the New York Red Bulls would show that they’re correct. However, since his poor spell at Hull, Altidore has played over 100 games and gained experience and started to prove himself.

In 2008 after an extremely successful period in the MLS – Scoring 15 goals in 37 appearances, an extraordinary feat for such a young player – Altidore moved to Spanish outfit, Villarreal for $10 million, a record fee for an MLS player. Unfortunately, Altidore’s time at Villarreal was not a good one. Only scoring once in nine appearances, he then went on loan to numerous clubs around Europe; Xerez in the Spanish second division, Bursaspor in Turkey, and of course Hull City.

Altidore only netted twice in those three loan spells. Gaining popularity with the Hull fans. However, he came away with a dismal record. 1 goal in 28 appearances for the Tigers. Altidore himself admitted his season long spell at Hull City was not successful. But he did say he believed it was a great time. It gave him the opportunity to see what the best league in the world was like:

“I think I was 19 or just turned 20 and I had not played in Europe before that. It is a totally different style from the MLS. I have come a long way since then. I am almost a different player and I have learned a lot. So I don’t think there is any resemblance to that time if I went back to the league any time soon.

I have played 100 plus games [since leaving Hull]. Playing there at that age and playing in the best league in the world, you can’t expect to hit the ground running. Some of my performances at Hull were not as bad as people think, some of them were actually pretty good. I don’t look back at it as a sad experience. It was a great experience because I got to see what the highest level was like.”

Altidore started to fulfil his potential when he was transferred to AK Alkmaar (Dutch League) in 2011. He smashed in one on his debut against PSV Eindhoven and continued his good form throughout the season. Getting himself 22 goals in all competitions.

The 2012/13 season came around and Altidore was unbelievable. This time he got himself 31 goals in all competitions. Including a late winner to secure the Dutch Cup for AK Alkmaar.

 FACT: With 31 goals in all competitions last season. Altidore only scored 10 less than Sunderland in the Premier League.

Altidore has the build needed for a striker coming into the Premier League. With the English First Division famously known as the most physical league in the world, Altidore will have no problem coping with it. Former Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce said the American was ‘built like a horse’. At 6ft 1, Altidore has managed to develop his strength and height to his advantage. Powering past defenders with ease to get through to goal. With his finishing having improved by a country mile over the past two years, Altidore will really be a striker to watch next season.

I asked Sunderland fan – @lewisinho his thoughts on his clubs new striker. Here’s what he thinks: “Jozy Altidore is a unit. He’s Sunderland’s target man. His runs are sublime, he knows where and when he wants the ball played which is why he scored many goals at AZ and that is personally, what I love about him. He’s an all round striker and he’s only 23. He’s gone from an inexperienced, frustrated striker at Hull, to a goal scoring powerhouse for Sunderland. And USA’s 3rd top scorer of all time has really matured and may get 15+ goals this season.”

Wes Brown – He joined the Black Cats back in 2011 from Manchester United. Having spent his whole career at Old Trafford, starting out from the youth system in 1992, making his senior debut 6 years later and becoming a regular in 2000, it was a big change for the Englishman. As a Manchester United fan myself, one big thing that is easy to notice with Wes Brown is his never say die attitude, taken from the Manchester United system. Not only does he have the never say attitude that he won the treble with in 1999, but he will go in for anything and everything. Should there be a flailing boot going for the ball, Brown will reach it first with his head. Although he’s turning 34 in October, he’ll be a valuable asset to Sunderland. With experience of victory at United he knows what it takes and can influence younger players. Due to his age I cannot see him starting every game for the Premier League club. However, once he regains full fitness his importance to the Black Cats in the games he starts will be huge. His presence with the young players will give them the boost. Hopefully Brown will end up regaining full fitness and starting a number of games.

Again I asked Lewis – @lewisinho – his thoughts on Wes brown, here’s what he had to say: “Wes Brown, when fully fit, is like a new signing for Sunderland. He’s had his ups and downs but in pre-season he has gotten his fitness up and he may be a serious contender for a starting place next season. He is always committed to go in, which he showed at Man. United, too.”

Emanuele Giaccherini – Paolo Di Canio has brought in many a player this summer. One of the stand out signings for him has been Giaccherini. His purchase from Juventus is rumoured to be roughly £6.5 million along with a 4-year-deal for the player. He was the ninth player to arrive at Wearside and I’m sure will become a fan favourite quickly.

Right after finalising his deal with the Black Cats, he said one of the reasons he had left the Serie A Champions was because he wanted to secure his place in the squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:

“I am full of enthusiasm and want to do good things as part of this adventure. I want to thank [Juventus] coach Antonio Conte. In the last two years he has given me the possibility to shine and make a name for myself here. A big part of my success is down to him. I thank him for that and will do so personally in the next few days. I have got into the national team now and I want to stay there. I will do everything for that. I hope this new adventure can push me to the World Cup. I will do my best playing in the English championship, which is the best in the world. Yesterday I spoke with Paolo Di Canio. For me, due to the fact that I don’t know the language, he will be a fundamental reference point, especially on the field.”

In August 2011, Giaccherini made the move to Juventus from Cesena. In the senior squad at Cesena, Giaccherini managed 20 goals and 4 assists over 97 appearances. After arriving at Juventus, Giaccherini got himself 40 appearances (21 off the bench) and netted 4 times, he also assisted 6 times. Along with these clubs stats, he has made 14 appearances for the Italian national side. He has scored twice and has a hat trick of assists for Italy.

Giaccherini is an extremely versatile player. He can move across both wings while he is more than capable of playing ‘in the hole’. However, with Paolo Di Canio signing Jozy Altidore (Mentioned earlier), I think he will be playing two upfront. Altidore partnering Steven Fletcher. As for Giaccherini, he should end up playing on one of the wings.

Standing at only 5ft 5, the Italian is one of the smallest players around. He is nimble and has a wide range of tricks that’ll certainly give full-backs a run for their money next season. He also has a very direct was of playing. He won’t bother with quick, small passes. he will either use his quick pace, powering forward with ease or play a direct pass. He is sure to give Sunderland some of the urgency they lacked last season. He brings a lot to Sunderland but with more key passes than any other player at Juventus, he’ll certainly bring some creativity to a slightly dull side.

It’s a great buy from Di Canio, he’s a winger that fills the void needed last season and you will definitely realise why he’s in this piece in a few months.

This is what @lewisinho thought about the purchase of Giaccherini: “Giaccherini is a small, direct, attacking Italian. His strives forward make defenders stumble backwards. He is lethal on the counter attack and makes defenders quake in their boots. He will be a fantastic player and may feature in Italy’s World Cup squad in 2014 with a good run.”

Written by Harry Robinson – @HRFootball. With a massive thanks to Lewis – @lewisinho. Make sure you’re following him on Twitter!