Sunderland survived another season in the top flight but it wasn’t comfortable by any means and, with 53 goals conceded, they are going to need to tighten up at the back before they can start to think about enjoying the next Premier League campaign.
One bright spark in the defence was Seb Coates who was loaned to the club last season. He fell out of favour under Gus Poyet but Dick Advocaat really liked him and the Uruguayan was integral to Sunderland’s Premier League survival, playing in every minute of their 5 match unbeaten spell that kept them out of the top three at the end of the season.
We always felt that he was a very promising player with more skill than the average defender. Given the right tutelage he can really kick on over the next couple of years. At 6ft 5in he certainly poses an aerial threat and his 17 caps for Uruguay speak of a player who is trusted at the top level.
ITV.com reckons that Sunderland are hopeful of completing a permanent deal for the lad this week:
Sunderland set to sign Liverpool defender for £2million
Sunderland hope to complete the signing of Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates later this week.
Press Association Sport understands talks are ongoing and that the club is hopeful of reaching a successful conclusion within days.
Coates: Skilful lad
Let’s take a look at him in action. Sunderland fans: is this a step in the right direction or did Coates fail to impress you during his loan spell last season?
dusanmal
Jun 29, 2015 at 7:41 pm
As I am likely a rare case of both LFC ans Sunderland fan, I’d be happy to see Coates quality in either team. His problem is not in ability but in injuries. Just bad luck or combination of physical characteristics and style of play? Hard to say but, apparently LFC decided to err on a safe side. Likely a boon for Sunderland, quality alone at CL level.