James Copley: Anthony Patterson proved his Sunderland worth – but awkward transfer reality remains
Anthony Patterson’s Wrexham display underlined his quality but also the awkward decision facing Sunderland this summer
Anthony Patterson’s performance against Wrexham was a timely reminder of something that has perhaps become slightly lost amid Sunderland’s rapid rise: he is still a very good goalkeeper.
Patterson looked sharp, confident and noticeably more assured when coming for crosses, an area of his game which has attracted scrutiny in the past. There was a calmness to his work and, more broadly, a sense that he has used his time away from the side to improve rather than simply wait for another opportunity.
It should not really come as a surprise. Patterson has already accumulated a huge amount of experience for a goalkeeper of his age and could conceivably have another 10 seasons at the very least ahead of him. He has also delivered for Sunderland on the biggest stages, making vital saves in both the League One and Championship play-off finals.
Those moments will always form part of his story at his boyhood club. They also explain why Sunderland value him so highly. The problem for Patterson is not that he has suddenly become an inferior goalkeeper. It is that Robin Roefs is, to put it bluntly, better.
There is no shame in that. Roefs has established himself as Sunderland’s first choice and has the qualities required to play at Premier League and European level. Patterson’s route back into the side is therefore blocked by a goalkeeper who has done very little to deserve being displaced. Yet the Wrexham performance inevitably reopened another debate.
On the evidence available, Patterson currently looks a stronger goalkeeper than Melker Ellborg, who is expected to operate as Sunderland’s number two this season. That has led some supporters to wonder whether Patterson should stay, provide genuine competition for Roefs and feature in Europa League and domestic cup fixtures.
From Sunderland’s point of view, that would make plenty of sense. Patterson is homegrown, reliable and understands the club. Keeping him would give Régis Le Bris an enviable goalkeeping department while removing the need to rely heavily on Ellborg if Roefs became unavailable. The difficulty is that being a capable number two is unlikely to satisfy Patterson.
He left for Millwall on loan in January because he wanted to play regularly. That ambition will not have disappeared simply because he remains fond of Sunderland or performed well in pre-season. At this stage of his career, he needs to be a number one rather than waiting for occasional cup appearances.
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That leaves Sunderland in a slightly strange position. They have an academy graduate who is good enough to strengthen their own squad, valuable enough to command a fee in the region of £8million to £10million and desirable from an accounting perspective because any sale would represent pure profit under SCR rules.
There is a strong football argument for keeping Patterson. There is also a strong personal and financial argument for selling him. The most likely outcome remains a permanent departure and a fresh start, but Sunderland should not undersell him simply because he is currently their second or third choice. Patterson’s circumstances have changed. His ability has not.