Which Of Sunderland’s Fringe Players Could Be In The Spotlight This Pre-Season?

Sunderland

Jocelin Ta Bi was impressive in a recent youth tournament, and he assisted in the recent pre-season game too.

He got off to a great start last season before injury in what seemed to be his first chance. He has confidence, attacking intent and ability, and we need talented wide men — especially young ones.

The lad has massive potential and he can really have a go.

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After a great season, I think this is a pivotal year for Chris Rigg.

He did well in the York game with a well-taken goal, and of all the squad, he’s one of the biggest potential talents we have on the books and hence one of the highest potential profit makers if someone does throw in a big bid.

I’d like to see him staking his claim for both the Premier League and for Europe, and his stature as a homegrown lad adds to his value for the Europa League.

I’d love to see him step up and claim regular league minutes and to show Europe what he has. If he has to go at some point for a big profit, the shop window we have this season is a huge one and the lad deserves every chance he can get.

Come on, Chris. Show us what you can do. The world is your oyster and Europe is at your feet.

I’m not betting that he will, but if Aji Alese could force his way into the picture it would be excellent for the club.

He ticks a lot of needed boxes: depth at left back, left centre back and he’s English homegrown. I’m probably in the minority, but I always preferred him to Dennis Cirkin.

If he can stay healthy and show some quality in his opportunities, I’d love to see him stick around.

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Timur Tutierov could be one of those ‘slow burn’ youngsters, for me.

At twenty one, he just came back from a solid developmental loan spell with Exeter and didn’t look out of place alongside first-team players against York. Further training with Régis Le Bris and the first team can surely help him step up and we could be looking at an interesting rotational option for the squad.

Jenson Seelt is still someone I like and can see having a role at the club.

If he can avoid injuries, his spell in the Bundesliga showed he can excel defensively as he rated very highly on defensive statistics and for what we could see with our own eyes, he looked solid on his Premier League debut against West Ham.

For me, the obvious one is Timur Tutierov.

He started excellently for Exeter before their managerial change. He also looked quick and confident against York on Saturday and I’d imagine there’ll be ample opportunity to impress ahead of the League Cup and Europa League games.

Jenson Seelt is another one. He started on the opening day against West Ham and didn’t look out of place until he was forced off with injury.

He’s another one blighted by injuries and a healthy run of minutes in pre-season will be needed to make an impression on Régis Le Bris going into the season. We’re well-stocked at centre back but with Nordi Mukiele able to cover right back alongside Thomas Meunier and Trai Hume, Seelt can be a very good squad option for rotation.

This will allow Le Bris to manage the squad how he thinks it’s appropriate to do so across a very hectic schedule.

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