Sunderland could give Clarke new role by signing “magic” Dack replacement

Boxing Day saw Sunderland overcome Hull City at the MKM Stadium to move up to the final playoff spot, all the while trying to forget about last Saturday’s crushing 3-0 loss to Coventry City at home, which was Michael Beale’s first game in the dugout.

Jack Clarke, who has been a constant hero this season, scored the game’s lone goal to secure all three points for his team and now has 11 goals in the Championship.

This season, the 23-year-old has carried the most goal-scoring load for the Black Cats; however, Beale may ease Clarke’s load by bringing in one previous player in January.

Sunderland transfer news – Amad Diallo

Football Insider revealed over the Christmas break that Amad Diallo, who hasn’t played a minute for the Red Devils this season, could be allowed to return on loan to another team in January. According to reports, Sunderland is eager to sign the Ivorian attacker again following his excellent campaign in England’s second division last year.

Diallo suffered a devastating knee injury during the English giants’ preseason, which has kept him out of action for the most of the year. Consequently, this season, the £9 million-rated forward has not made an appearance for head coach Erik ten Hag in a competitive match; nevertheless, he has just started training again.

The Atalanta young product was reportedly eager to fight for his spot at Old Trafford, but it now appears that he may not have that choice, and a return to the Stadium of Light would be just what’s needed for everyone.

Amad Diallo’s stats – 2022/23

After signing a season-long loan deal with Sunderland at the start of the previous campaign, Diallo immediately rose to fame on Wearside. The Ivory Coast international scored 14 goals in all competitions to complete the season as Sunderland’s top striker. Tony Mowbray’s team achieved an unprecedented finish inside the playoff spots, but they were unfortunately defeated by Luton Town in the semi-finals. Mowbray even called Diallo “magic” when the loanee tied for eighth place in the league’s scoring standings.

Still, this season’s Sunderland is much more dependent on one man than it was in the previous one, which is a difference between the two campaigns. This season, the Black Cats have scored 33 goals in the Championship. Only 11 teams have scored less goals this time around, though. Furthermore, Jack Clarke has scored 33.3% of the team’s goals in the league thus far this year.

Three Sunderland players—Diallo, Ross Stewart, and Clarke—scored 10 or more goals in all competitions during the 2022–2023 season. Ellis Simms was not far behind with seven. Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham now share the position of the team’s second-highest goalscorer with four goals apiece.

Beale’s biggest task is to address the team’s weakness at the top. The manager will need to get inventive up top because none of the players who have alternated the number “9” position during the season—Nazariy Rusyn, Hemir Semedo, Mason Burstow, Jewison Bennette, and Eliezer Mayenda—have been able to convert even one opportunity.

Bradley Dack was sent up top by Beale on Boxing Day, but the former Blackburn Rovers player had little effect at all. He only managed one shot, with an xG of 0.07, before being substituted in the 44th minute due to an injury. The 29-year-old’s performance earned him a 6/10 match rating from Chronicle Live.

However, considering how well Clarke has been for Sunderland this season, Beale might try him up front with the possible signing of Diallo. The former Tottenham Hotspur player has only made four starts at the front of the attack, but his record is respectable.

To lessen the impact of the Englishman on the wings, the new manager may also position Diallo out on the wing in Clarke’s place. With Diallo in the mix, Sunderland will have much greater balance in the forward line and won’t be as dependent on goals from Clarke, even though they may lose some aerial danger.