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Five players Sunderland should buy in January

By Roy Emanuel

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (C) celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland at Vitality Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (C) celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland at Vitality Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

If Sunderland are to pull off The Great Escape again this season, these are the five players they will need in January.

Sunderland and manager David Moyes have struggled thus far in the 2016-17 Premier League season. That is one way to summarise the start to the campaign. Another way to describe it would be completely shambolic.

The Black Cats currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table with five points from 11 matches. Sunderland secured their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory at AFC Bournemouth last Saturday, ironically with Moyes off the sidelines serving a FA suspension. The victory brings some much-needed positivity during the international break and hope for the prospects of the season ahead.

Sunderland desperately need to improve their attack. The club have scored only nine goals, the lowest total in the Premier League. Striker Jermain Defoe has scored six of those nine and will require assistance if the team is going to build success from their first victory.

The defence will need to be addressed as well, both in the midfield and the backline. With so few goals being scored on the other end, there is an even higher premium on Moyes’ side to keep clean sheets and stay organised.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short has committed up to 20 million pounds to be used for the January transfer window and appears to be backing Moyes as the man to lead the squad back up the Premier League standings.

We take a look at the players that can make an impact in January and bring Sunderland out of the relegation zone.

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