Sunderland lost their star striker Jermain Defoe to Bournemouth at the season end following their relegation and are hoping that the Cherries return the favour in giving them their fringe forward Max Gradel now. According to reports, the Black Cats are among the many suitors who have stepped up their pursuit in the Ivory Coast international.
With David Moyes now gone, with the club falling deeper into their its financial crisis, former Preston North End manager Simon Grayson was called to take up the cudgels. And given the stringent budget that he has to work with, the English manager has done well to get in players, who are either experienced and club rejects or exciting and loanees.
34-year-old Defoe played a phenomenal role for Sunderland last season picking up 15 goals and two assists in 37 league appearances. His clinical finishing even led him to get a national call up, late in his career. His departure has left a huge gap in Sunderland’s attack which can be hardly replaced by their small transfer budget.
Among the new arrivals, Sunderland has, James Vaughan, Aiden McGeady and Jermain Lens, who have top level experience and can make things happen. But, none can bring in the tenacity of Defoe in the attacking third like Max Gradel.
The 29-year-old had a decent debut season in the Premier League since his move to Bournemouth from Ligue 1 side St. Etienne in 2015. He managed a goal and four assists in 14 league appearances. But, Eddie Howe refrained from using him last season. He was handed only 11 league appearances, all from the bench, despite having a largely injury free season.
Gradel’s quality in front of goal is undeniable. The winger excels in providing some delicious crosses from either flank and possesses some phenomenal dribbling abilities. He has played for Yorkshire club Leeds United earlier and was a huge success for them. In the three seasons that he was with the Whites, Gradel managed to score 25 goals and 13 assists in 86 games.
And Grayson has every reason to believe he could repeat his feat in the Championship yet again. Despite Howe insisting that Gradel is in his plans for next season, the 29-year-old seems unconvinced.
The academy product of former Premier League champions Leicester City, Gradel is hugely experienced in English football following his successful spells with the Foxes, Leeds United and Bournemouth even before he moved to France. With St. Etienne, Gradel was also part of their Europa League campaign in 2014 and 2015, and his experience will be a huge advantage for the Black Cats in the second tier.
