The looming contract calls that Kristjaan Speakman and Lee Johnson will have to start addressing at Sunderland

Sunderland’s enforced break from League One did have the one positive of allowing a newly appointed Sporting Director and Head Coach the time to assess the squad in front of them.
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The January transfer window is the obvious short-term focus, but the pair have also inherited a squad where contract management has been a task essentially knocked down the road as takeover uncertainty continued.

The vast majority of the current senior group see their current deals in the summer.

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On the one hand, this is a fairly natural state of affairs when you consider that the salary cap rules will force a significant overhaul if Sunderland don’t win promotion this year. On the other, if they do win promotion then turnover of players will be equally naturally as the Black Cats prepare to step up a level.

Jordan Willis is one of a number of key players heading into the final six months of their current contractJordan Willis is one of a number of key players heading into the final six months of their current contract
Jordan Willis is one of a number of key players heading into the final six months of their current contract

The issue is that in some cases, Sunderland face being left vulnerable when it comes to some of their prize assets, just as they were in the case of Josh Maja and Jon McLaughlin.

An overview of those out of contract highlights some big priorities that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later...

GOALKEEPERS

LEE BURGE

Sporting Director Kristjaan SpeakmanSporting Director Kristjaan Speakman
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman

Sunderland still miss the Championship class of Jon McLaughlin, but Burge has been a steady operator in the main this season and has started life under Johnson well. It's a department Sunderland would likely look at closely should they win promotion, but Burge will have the time between now and (hopefully) then to ensure he is part of the conversation.

REMI MATTHEWS

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Matthews suffered from arriving late in the summer amid the myriad of challenges that came with the introduction of the salary cap rules. He has struggled to build any real momentum in his performances and at the turn of the year, has much to prove if he was to earn another deal, regardless of what division Sunderland find themselves in.

ANTHONY PATTERSON

Sunderland are likely to consider a loan for Patterson this January, and the sensible approach would be to secure his long-term future on Wearside before he heads out for senior experience. Patterson is a talent whose maturity in commanding his box is rare in goalkeepers of his age. He has much to learn, but has the potential to be a real asset.

DEFENDERS

CONOR McLAUGHLIN

After a disappointing first season, McLaughlin has arguably been one of Sunderland's most consistent performers in recent weeks. The improvement has been stark and as we enter a frenetic period likely to be marked by injury and COVID-19 disruption, his versatility is likely to make him only more important still. Work to be done in terms of proving he has a future beyond this season, but to even be having the conversation is testament to the steps forward he has taken.

LUKE O'NIEN

O'Nien has long been interest to Championship clubs. He is energetic, covers great distances in games, is strong in the air and wins most of his individual duels. The debate still continues over his long-term position, a reflection of the fact that for all his improvement, everyone expects this versatile and intelligent footballer to get better still. With that in mind, Sunderland would be wise to secure his future sooner rather than later. He is a second-tier player in waiting.

JORDAN WILLIS

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An ongoing knee issue has perhaps meant that this talented defender entering the last six months of his deal has not had the attention it probably warrants. Willis is approach peak age, is one of the most athletic defenders in the division and had Championship suitors when Sunderland first signed him. You can be sure that a raft of clubs are monitoring his availability ahead of the summer. One of a core you would want at the heart of a squad in either division.

BRANDON TAYLOR

Taylor impressed Phil Parkinson in the FA Cup last season but has seen Oliver Younger and Morgan Feeney rise above him in the peckng order so far this. Has a big six months ahead in the U23s as he looks to stake a claim before his current deal expires.

MORGAN FEENEY

Feeney made a strong start to life on Wearside, impressing in training and on his debut in the Papa John's Trophy. A hamstring injury has checked his progress and for both parties, it makes little sense to decide either way right now. For Sunderland, they will want to see whether he can push for first-team action and that suits Feeney, too. He is fast approaching a stage in his career where he needs to play senior football, whether it be here or elsewhere.

DENVER HUME

It's easy to forget that at the start of this calendar year, Hume was still cementing his place in what was his first year of consistent senior football. Throughout 2020, he has been his side's most consistent and dependable attacking threat. Yes, that has at times been due to Sunderland's one-dimensional forward play, and yes, his end product still needs work. His ability to carry the ball from deep and beat players remains nevertheless a huge asset, and one that should be clearer if Johnson is able to get a better balance to the side elsewhere. His tenacity in defending has improved, too. A player with a big Sunderland future.

CALLUM McFADZEAN

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McFadzean struggled in Sunderland's most recent game but by and large he has looked an astute addition so far. He has covered for Hume well and has looked lively in the final third. This had been a problem position for three windows before his arrival, though it remains too soon really to make a reasoned judgement on what should be done ahead of next season.

MIDFIELDERS

GRANT LEADBITTER

Leadbitter still has so much to offer the club and his performance this season have been exemplary. There will surely be a role for him moving forward but for now, it makes sense to keep the focus on the here and now. It has yielded good results for player and club so far this season.

MAX POWER

Power's technical quality is clearly good enough for this level and probably the step up beyond that. The biggest issue in his time on Wearside has been finding his best role, wiht him often asked to play in a far more disciplined, defensive position than he appears suited too. An enterprising showing at Lincoln raised some hope that he can recapture his best form in the weeks and months ahead.

JOSH SCOWEN

It took Scowen longer than anticipated to settle into the starting XI but his performances have steadily improved and Johnson's arrival looks timely after they worked well together at Barnsley. His energy is notable when absent and with second-tier experience aplenty, Scowen has a great chance to earn a new deal in the months ahead.

CHRIS MAGUIRE

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Maguire has quite clearly been one of Sunderland's best players since they dropped into League One, a rare matchwinner who at times had played at a level that has made his long absence from the Championship seem baffling. Consistency has again been an issue this season, though, and Jack Diamond's rise leaves him with a point to prove in the months ahead as Johnson's project takes shape.

ELLIOT EMBLETON

The six months ahead are crucial for Embleton. His talent is proven, both in his loan spell at Grimsby Town and his youth international days. There would be suitors aplenty for a player without undoubted ability, but who has been desperately unlucky with injury on Wearside. It's prevented him from making a real impact up to this point, but it would be desperately disappointing if he was to leave without a prolonged run in the side and for little financial return. Getting the best out of him should be one of Johnson's top priorities.

JACK DIAMOND

Johnson has said that Diamond is far from the finished article, and still has 'mega bucks to learn'. Diamond should take Johnson's excitement about working on those rough edges as a compliment, though. It's a sign of the talent the new head coach thinks he has at his disposal, and the way his bravery on the ball has stood out in recent weeks. An old-fashioned winger with a big future that ought to be secured in the not-too-distant future.

AIDEN McGEADY

Johnson has been effusive in his praise of his winger since arriving, and recently even hinted that he still has the technical quality to make an impact in the second tier. It's up to McGeady to prove that over the next six months after a prolonged spell on the sidelines, as the club will have a decision to make on a player who is currently one of their bigger earners.

STRIKERS

CHARLIE WYKE

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Wyke has earned praise from Johnson, who talked up his abilities even before he led the line superbly in the 4-0 win over Lincoln City. The striking department will be one of those in most need of an overhaul when the season ends (no matter the result), but at the moment it is Wyke who is stating the strongest case for staying.

BENJI KIMPIOKA

The delay to an agreement on a new deal left Kimpioka facing an uphill battle this season. But he committed his future despite interest from elsewhere and made a flying start in the U23 side. A hamstring injury means he is unlikely to be fit until February, but Diamond's rise should show him there is an opportunity to be taken. With the option of an extra year written into the deal, both sides have plenty of time before the longer-term picture needs to be considered.

DANNY GRAHAM

In the early weeks after his arrival for a second spell on Wearside, it looked and sounded as if Parkinson was preparing for Graham to lead the line for the campaign ahead. After a goal against Aston Villa U21s he has struggled badly for form and regular minutes, leaving his future uncertain ahead of the second half of the campaign.

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