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4 players to target if Sunderland get relegated

By Matt English

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Sunderland Manager / Head Coach David Moyes reacts during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Sunderland Manager / Head Coach David Moyes reacts during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Jordan Pickford of Sunderland gives his team mates instructions during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Jordan Pickford of Sunderland gives his team mates instructions during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on March 5, 2017 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

1. Jordan Pickford

One of the few bright spots in the Sunderland season has been English keeper Jordan Pickford. The 23-year-old has already been targeted by the big clubs in recent rumors, and for good reason.

It seems hard to fathom, but without Pickford, Sunderland would be even worse off than they are now. While he only has two clean sheets, Pickford has recorded 84 saves on the season. That is good for third best in the league, behind only Tom Heaton (106) and Ben Foster (89). His shot stopping ability combined with his potential to grow puts him in a good position to move up in the goalkeeping ladder.

Four of the five wins Sunderland have this season have come with Pickford in net. An early season man of the match performance saw him pick up eight saves in a tough 1-0 loss to Tottenham. With teams like Arsenal and Manchester United after the youngster, Pickford will likely be on the move to a bigger club once the season comes to an end. He has yet to break into the senior England team, but it will only be a matter of time until he grabs the starting spot for his country.

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