Sunderland to make a late move for exciting Scottish striker: Can he turn things around?

According to a report by the Express, Sunderland are understood to be interested in signing Sheffield Wednesday striker, Jordan Rhodes, on loan for the rest of the season. The Black Cats have already seen the departures of Lewis Grabban and James Vaughan from the club and signing a striker before the transfer window shuts down is of paramount importance for them.

Sunderland are really struggling in the Championship after their relegation from the Premier League last season. So far this season, they have collected just 25 points from 29 league games and are placed at the 23rd spot in the league standings. Coleman needs to make the most of the remaining hours of the transfer window and given that his attacking arsenal desperately needs some reinforcements, he has put Rhodes on his radar.

Rhodes emerged through the youth ranks of Barnsley and Ipswich Town and started his career with the latter. During the time he was in the books of the Tractor Boys, he accumulated experience under his belt during his loan spells with Oxford United, Rochdale and Brentford before signing permanently for Huddersfield Town.

His career with the Terriers turned out to be a success story, which prompted Blackburn Rovers to make him sign on the dotted line. The Scottish international continued his goal-scoring spree with Rovers and after three-and-a-half-seasons, he moved to Middlesbrough. However, his spell with the Smoggies didn’t go down pretty well and he was signed permanently by Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2017 after spending six months on loan with them.

So far this season, Rhodes has made 13 starts and 12 substitute appearances in the Championship for the Owls, scoring 4 goals and notching up 1 assist. However, he must be desirous to get more game time under his belt and given that Wednesday’s new boss, Jos Luhukay, has preferred Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao in his tactical nous, the future of Rhodes at Hillsborough seems to be bleak at the moment.

If Sunderland manage to bring him to the Stadium of Light, he might turn out to be a season-changing acquisition for them. The 27-year-old is more than a decent striker who is quite clinical up front. He holds the ball well in the final third and links up well with his teammates. Besides, he has tons of experience of English football under his belt and has the ingredients to click under Coleman.

Statistics Credits: WhoScored