David Moyes has probably had enough bad news lately but now he has more in the shape of a Fabio Borini injury.
Sunderland have suffered a fresh blow after news a Fabio Borini injury has ruled the striker out for three months, reports the Mirror. David Moyes was already short on strikers and may now have to look into the free agency market after Borini picked up a groin problem.
Jermain Defoe is the club’s top striker. Beyond that, however, there’s not a lot there for Moyes to look towards. Borini was the backup option to Defoe, but without the Italian, 17-year-old Joel Asoro would be next up.
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The Black Cats fans were already concerned with relegation. Relying on a 17-year-old unknown striker is unlikely to ease those fears. The timing of Borini’s injury also deals an additional blow, with the transfer window closing less than 24 hours ago.
Sunderland probably needed another striker bringing in anyway before this news. The injury occurred to Borini during Sunderland’s last Premier League outing against Southampton on Sunday. So it’s not exactly breaking news to the club.
Surely there was an inkling that maybe a striker had to be prioritised on deadline day? Especially when you already know of a potential Fabio Borini injury. Steven Naismith was linked from Norwich City, but the deal never came off. These are the moments where you save your season sometimes.
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You look back at the end of the campaign and marvel at how good a signing Player A was and how he kept Club X from relegation. Or how Player B won the league for Club Z. A bit like Defoe himself last season for Sunderland.
The club’s strategy in the transfer window this year has been a risky one, with young players coming in and a few unknown names. Even amongst those names, not one striker could be brought in? The one position you probably need the most?
Although, a goalkeeper became pretty crucial, too, once Vito Mannone had been ruled out for three months. Hey, the club didn’t get a goalkeeper either! At least they’re consistent. The inexperienced Jordan Pickford played against Southampton, and went on to commit an error for Southampton’s goal that tied the game.
That’s what happens with young players who are still developing. If Defoe gets injured in the next three months, Moyes might find the same with the teenager, Asoro, as well. You can’t rely on young inexperienced players. Not as a starter.
Sunderland are going to have to delve into the free agency market. A few strikers currently available are Victor Anichebe, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner. Bendtner has played for Sunderland before when he was on loan during the 11 -12 season. Whilst Anichebe has worked with Moyes previously at Everton.
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None would be preferable, frankly. But the club have backed themselves into a corner now. A corner they may never get out of. If Defoe does get injured any time soon, whether Sunderland have a 17-year-old upfront or a free agency signing, the situation would be bleak.
The club may not recover if they fall too far behind. The Premier League is unforgiving. And if the club are indeed relegated at the end of the season, they’ll probably look back at the last 24 hours as the time they could have saved themselves but didn’t.