Sunderland are clambering deep down in the league table. They are going to face an uphill task to keep their noses above the drop zone and David Moyes knows the gravity of the coming months. They have conceded almost a couple of goals every game on an average, which is why Moyes is so desperate to add some resilience. Besides, their latest loss against West Bromwich Albion has further dented their possibility of seeing the rays of next campaign in the top tier.
Apparently, the Black Cats are looking forward to adding veteran defender, Joleon Lescott, to his ranks in order to bail themselves out of their miserable defensive form. The 34-year-old central defender is currently a free agent after his contract with AEK Athens was terminated on a mutual consent last year. Currently, he is training with Moyes’ side and this is how the speculation of his transfer has ignited. However, considering his age and animosity which the Premier League offers on its tray, will this potential transfer actually work?
Lescott certainly isn’t going to be a long-term solution, but he may definitely be one for the coming months which are going to decide Sunderland’s fate. Lescott has tonnes of experience under his belt, having plied his trade with Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City. Signing someone like Lescott would, of course, increase the squad’s quantity, but at the same time, some quality is also going to be injected.
Sunderland are one of the teams worst hit by the Africa Cup of Nations, 2017 as they had to lose their three key players to the tournament. Speaking in terms of the economy of the transfer, it may be believed that his wages would be minimal and he would provide a cheap alternative to Moyes. The Sunderland fans might be divided on this (and quite rightly so); but it is also needed to be highlighted that he has played under Moyes before and together, they can chalk out a decent backline.
The Black Cats do not have much of money to spend and considering that Lescott is available for free, they should sign him. He is still a decent backup, and more than anything else, the defenders playing in the first team under Moyes will have to perform better, knowing that there would be an added competition, should the deal materialise that is.
