Increased transparency and connect between the fanbase and the hierarchy – a sore situation in years gone by – was generated and the Mackems deployed an expansive brand of possession-based football that directed their route to the play-offs against all odds, with star turns such as Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts finally igniting the respective sparks that had formerly made them so hotly-tipped.
Amad Diallo wasn’t bad, either.
That’s putting it lightly, really, as the Manchester United loanee proved one of the finest talents the Championship had on offer and routinely prevailed as a match-winner for his side, finishing the campaign with 14 goals from 42 appearances across all competitions.
And while Sunderland have renewed the spring in their step as of late to launch a fresh assault on the top-six, it’s still pretty hard to deny that they could do with him.
Whereas Tony Mowbray’s men have kicked on and flourished yet again, the same can’t quite be said for Diallo.
It had seemed as though a role was vacant for Diallo to occupy this term following his performances in the Championship, and he’d received plenty of involvement under Erik ten Hag in pre-season.
That was until he succumbed to a devastating knee injury during United’s Stateside triumph over Arsenal, one which required knee surgery and has kept him stationed in sidelines ever since.
It’s a sorry turn of circumstance as Diallo could well be a regular starter for the Red Devils by now given their dearth of wide options.
Indeed, attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has often been forced to play on the right-hand side that Diallo favours – a sign of the short supply – with £85m forward Antony struggling to find form and Jadon Sancho being banished into exile altogether amid off-the-field issues.
That was until he succumbed to a devastating knee injury during United’s Stateside triumph over Arsenal, one which required knee surgery and has kept him stationed in sidelines ever since.
It’s a sorry turn of circumstance as Diallo could well be a regular starter for the Red Devils by now given their dearth of wide options.
Indeed, attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has often been forced to play on the right-hand side that Diallo favours – a sign of the short supply – with £85m forward Antony struggling to find form and Jadon Sancho being banished into exile altogether amid off-the-field issues.
With that in mind, it surely feels like a no-brainer for Sunderland to really fight tooth and nail in order to lure the winger to Wearside for the second time.
Although patience may be required initially in light of his injury comeback, Diallo is about as good as you’ll get at Championship level and could just provide the individual magic required to take Sunderland back to the big time.
Make no mistake about it, he’d be a game-changing signing, one who’d enhance Sunderland’s attacking dynamic and boost them up to the next level.
They’ll need exactly that in the second-half of the season, particularly given the present uncertainty in relation to the futures of Clarke and Roberts at the Stadium of Light.
He’ll face no shortage of potential suitors, but Sunderland must be looking to force themselves to the very front of that queue if they’re serious about returning to the Premier League this term.
