JUST IN: Might be Sunderland reunion as the Black Cats once player of the year is on the verge of sealing CONTRACT to play for Rival Club…. Sunderland should regret releasing their Player of the Year.
Last summer, Sunderland FC recruited Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis to bolster their defense. However, with Seelt likely out until year-end and Triantis potentially being loaned out, the team’s defensive options are limited. Leo Hjelde and Aji Alese are currently the only backup defenders.
The club controversially released Danny Batth, their Player of the Year, without securing a replacement. Batth had been instrumental in Sunderland’s Championship playoff run, keeping 13 clean sheets. His release was part of the club’s strategy to invest in younger players.
After a brief stint with Norwich City, where he made only five starts, Batth is now reportedly in talks with Blackburn Rovers. Journalist Elliott Jackson reported that Blackburn has renewed interest in the 33-year-old free agent, with both the manager and player seemingly keen on the move.
Batth’s potential addition to Blackburn could significantly improve their defense, which struggled last season, conceding the third-most goals in the Championship.
In hindsight, Sunderland’s decision to release Batth appears to have been a misstep. His absence was felt when the team’s main defensive partnership of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien was unavailable, with newer recruits unable to fill the void.
This situation exemplifies some of the club’s questionable decisions from last summer. While Sunderland fans may wish Batth well if he joins Blackburn, it could be a bittersweet moment if he continues to perform at the high level he demonstrated at the Stadium of Light.