Sunderland moments missed: Timur Tutierov twist, Chris Rigg clue and cult hero serenaded
Sunderland began their pre-season programme against York City – but what happened away from the main action?
Pre-season results rarely linger for long, particularly when a team is only at the beginning of its preparations for another demanding campaign.
Sunderland’s opening friendly against York City was primarily about fitness, giving players valuable minutes and offering opportunities to several members of the club’s academy.
There were, however, still a number of interesting moments and potential clues for those watching closely at the LNER Community Stadium.
Zak Johnson receives warm Sunderland reception
Former Sunderland defender Zak Johnson started for York following his permanent departure from the Academy of Light earlier this summer.
Johnson had been with his boyhood club since the age of seven but spent last season on loan at York, helping the Minstermen win promotion before making the move permanent.
The defender’s name was warmly applauded by Sunderland’s travelling support when the teams were read out before kick-off.
Johnson’s departure was one of several difficult contract decisions made by Sunderland this summer, with the club having to weigh up the development prospects of talented academy players against the pathway available to them at first-team level.
Timur Tutierov inclusion creates contract intrigue
One of the most fascinating selections came in Sunderland’s first-half starting XI, with highly-rated attacker Timur Tutierov handed an opportunity.
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Club sources had previously indicated that Tutierov was expected to leave Sunderland this summer in a deal similar to those agreed for Johnson and Harrison Jones.
His involvement at York has perhaps cast a little doubt over whether that remains the case.
Of course, it was only the first game of pre-season and no firm conclusions should be drawn from one friendly selection. These games do, however, often provide clues about the plans being considered by the coaching staff.
Tutierov’s performance only added to the intrigue. The teenager scored and created another goal during a really strong showing, taking his opportunity to make an impression on Régis Le Bris and his staff.
Whether it changes Sunderland’s thinking over his future remains to be seen, but he could hardly have done much more to strengthen his case.
Absences offer further clues
There were some straightforward explanations for several notable absentees.
Romaine Mundle and Dan Ballard were not involved as they continued their respective returns from injury, with Sunderland understandably taking a cautious approach during the early stages of pre-season.
Anthony Patterson was not involved at all, however, with the goalkeeper’s future still up in the air.
Patterson has been training with Sunderland despite the expectation that he could leave the club this summer, but he did not feature in either of the two sides used against York.
Alan Browne could arguably be placed in a similar category, given the uncertainty surrounding his position within the squad.
The Republic of Ireland international did play the first half, though, underlining the danger of reading too much into every individual selection at this stage of the summer.
Melker Ellborg’s cult hero status grows
Melker Ellborg only joined Sunderland last summer and has made just a handful of appearances due to the quality and consistency of Robin Roefs.
That has not stopped the Swedish goalkeeper from developing something approaching cult-hero status among sections of the support.
Sunderland fans chanted Ellborg’s name throughout the first half at York, just as they had when the Black Cats recorded a memorable 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park last season.
Ellborg has had to remain patient since arriving on Wearside, with Roefs firmly established as Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper.
It was therefore nice to see him receive his flowers from the travelling support while being given another opportunity between the posts.
Chris Rigg’s midfield role catches the eye
Chris Rigg started in central midfield, with Jocelin Ta Bi used on the right-hand side.
That immediately raised an interesting question over where Le Bris sees Rigg’s long-term future.
The academy graduate has operated in several different midfield and attacking roles during his senior career, but his qualities have always suggested that he could eventually settle in a more central position.
Rigg scored from midfield at York and also demonstrated something he perhaps lacked a little during parts of last season: strength on the ball.
The standard of opposition must obviously be taken into account, with York preparing for life in League Two rather than the Premier League or Europa League.
Still, there were moments when Rigg used his body effectively, resisted challenges and protected possession with greater authority.
At 19, it may have been another small sign that he is continuing to mature physically. That development could prove important if Le Bris intends to use him regularly in the middle of the pitch.
A welcome return for Aji Alese
It was wonderful to see Aji Alese back in a Sunderland shirt following another lengthy injury lay-off.
The defender played the second half at left-back as he began the process of rebuilding his fitness and attempting to put another frustrating spell behind him.
Alese has suffered desperately unfortunate luck with injuries since joining Sunderland but has consistently demonstrated his ability when fit.
He is also one of the nicest people you are likely to encounter at the Academy of Light, making his return particularly pleasing for those who have witnessed the work he has put into his rehabilitation.
The priority now will be keeping him available and gradually increasing his workload over the remainder of pre-season.