LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 1: FC Dynamo Kyiv’s defender Domagoj Vida from Croacia (L) with SL Benfica’s forward from Greece Kostas Mitroglou (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Estadio da Luz on November 1, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Domagoj Vida
Bringing UEFA Champions League and international football experience along with him, Croatian centre-back Domagoj Vida is an addition that Moyes will be anxious to make as soon as possible this coming January.
The Dynamo Kyiv defender offers incredible flexibility to the line-up, more than capable of playing in any position along the backline. Vida’s vision and touch on the ball will bring an added dimension to the Sunderland defence.
The 27-year old can even provide crucial goals on occasion and is an attacking asset off free-kick routines.
Vida has been a crucial part of league championships in the Ukrainian first division and has played against some of the best European clubs in the Champions League. The international experience and knowledge he can bring to the Sunderland squad would be an intangible with several positive effects.
Vida was on the roster for Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at Euro 2016 this past summer in France.
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will leave David Moyes without Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji in central defence for several weeks in January. Domagoj Vida’s arrival at the Stadium of Light would be the perfect way to combat the problem.
2-1 victory at AFC Bournemouth last Saturday</a>, ironically with Moyes <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/david-moyes-handed-1-match-175953549.html">off the sidelines serving a FA suspension</a>. The victory brings some much-needed positivity during the international break and hope for the prospects of the season ahead.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Sunderland owner Ellis Short has committed up to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/11/09/sunderland-to-dig-deep-in-january/">20 million pounds to be used for the January transfer window</a> and appears to be backing Moyes as the man to lead the squad back up the Premier League standings.</p>
<p>We take a look at the players that can make an impact in January and bring Sunderland out of the relegation zone.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfield </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425535" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F576600646-sk-rapid-vienna-v-chelsea-friendly-match-850x560.jpg" alt="VIENNA, AUSTRIA - JULY 16: John Obi Mikel of Chelsea in action during a friendly match between SK Rapid Vienna and Chelsea on July 16, 2016 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">VIENNA, AUSTRIA – JULY 16: John Obi Mikel of Chelsea in action during a friendly match between SK Rapid Vienna and Chelsea on July 16, 2016 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>John Obi Mikel</strong></h3>
<p>One of the more influential midfielders during the past decade in the Premier League, Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel would be a tremendous addition to the Sunderland line-up.</p>
<p>Still only 29 years old, the Nigerian international would command a strong presence both on the pitch and in the locker room. While his skills may not be what they were years ago with the Blues, Mikel displayed <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nFTuEqjvOY%22>excellent skill during a tough 2015-16 campaign </a>at Stamford Bridge.</p>
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<p>A box-to-box midfielder in the truest sense, Mikel’s work rate in the midfield would benefit the defensive half and his accurate passing could bring life to a wilted attack. While he has not been used by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, Mikel can still be productive and would bring value to a Sunderland team preparing for yet another relegation battle.</p>
<p>A Premier League and Champions League winner in the past, Mikel’s leadership and mentoring of young players at Sunderland could have an immeasurable upside. And with Nigeria not taking part in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, his addition seems poised to come at the perfect time for the Black Cats.</p>
<p>The greatest challenge that presents itself for the possible move are the costs involved. Chelsea would no doubt be looking for a significant transfer fee and Mikel’s wages would be an issue. But with the player not contributing and looking for playing time, the transfer fee and contract would be negotiable aspects.</p>
<p>A strong midfield led by John Obi Mikel would start to see victories become more and more common at Sunderland.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central defence </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 1: FC Dynamo Kyiv’s defender Domagoj Vida from Croacia (L) with SL Benfica’s forward from Greece Kostas Mitroglou (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Estadio da Luz on November 1, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Domagoj Vida</strong></h3>
<p>Bringing UEFA Champions League and international football experience along with him, Croatian centre-back Domagoj Vida is an addition that Moyes will be anxious to make as soon as possible this coming January.</p>
<p>The Dynamo Kyiv defender offers incredible flexibility to the line-up, more than capable of playing in any position along the backline. Vida’s vision and touch on the ball will bring an added dimension to the Sunderland defence.</p>
<p>The 27-year old can even <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38RqbgDpGcU%22>provide crucial goals on occasion </a>and is an attacking asset off free-kick routines.</p>
<p>Vida has been a crucial part of league championships in the Ukrainian first division and has played against some of the best European clubs in the Champions League. The international experience and knowledge he can bring to the Sunderland squad would be an intangible with several positive effects.</p>
<p>Vida was on the roster for Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at Euro 2016 this past summer in France.</p>
<p>The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will leave David Moyes without Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji in central defence for several weeks in January. Domagoj Vida’s arrival at the Stadium of Light would be the perfect way to combat the problem.</p>
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<h3><strong>Robbie Brady</strong></h3>
<p>David Moyes has deployed a 4-4-2 formation recently with varying degrees of effectiveness. Previous Sunderland managers, like Sam Allardyce, often went with a 4-5-1 approach that focused on strong defending and quickly getting the ball to the centre-forward. Moyes would be wise to add a new layer to the attack with the signing of Norwich City winger Robbie Brady.</p>
<p>Brady’s pace and ability to create space in wide positions could be exactly what is needed to see goals come with more regularity. The Irish international working his way up the left flank and providing service to Defoe would be difficult for opposing defences to stop.</p>
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<p>A product of the Manchester United academy and youth system, the 24-year old enjoyed two successful loan spells to Hull City before making his stay at the KC Stadium permanent in January of 2013. Brady scored three Premier League goals in 2015-16 with Norwich City before their drop to the Championship for this season.</p>
<p>Brady possesses great instincts on the pitch and understands the timing of his runs quite well. His <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzvka5SamSQ%22>winning goal for Ireland in their 1-0 victory over Italy </a>at Euro 2016 is a prime example.</p>
<p>Determination, excellent anticipation and a perfect header from Brady sent the Republic of Ireland into a state of wild jubilation.</p>
<p>No doubt looking for a return to the English top flight, Moyes adding Brady to his line-up allows for a variety of different tactical changes to be made for Sunderland moving ahead.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – NOVEMBER 03: Lukasz Teodorczyk of RSC Anderlecht celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League Group C match between RSC Anderlecht and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Lukasz Teodorczyk</strong></h3>
<p>Sunderland at the bottom of both the Premier League standings and the scoring charts are two statistics very much linked to one another. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vab9WRCtTWA%22>Jermain Defoe has been a force with Sunderland </a>since arriving last season but another striker would be more ideal. Polish international Lukasz Teodorczyk is a strong candidate for this important role.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Currently on loan at RSC Anderlecht in Belgium, the Dynamo Kyiv forward would provide Moyes an option up top with Defoe that could see goal numbers flourish. Teodorczyk’s size and strength compliments Defoe’s skillset well and he could be used in different variations depending on match scenarios.</p>
<p>The two players set up in a 4-4-2 could change their positioning throughout and Teodorczyk lined up as centre-forward behind Defoe as the main striker could create space for quality shots at the opposing goal.</p>
<p>Teodorczyk’s loan to Anderlecht this season has been incredibly productive, with the Zuromin native scoring 15 goals in 18 matches across all competitions.</p>
<p>His experience against some of Europe’s best certainly provides useful knowledge as he continues his growth as a player.</p>
<p>Teodorczyk <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRC3Sun5xho%22>scored 16 goals during his two full seasons with Dynamo Kyiv </a>and earned his first senior caps with the Polish national team in 2013. The 25-year old has immense potential and appears to be a transfer that Sunderland will not want to pass up on at the start of the new year.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Andre Gray of Burnley in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on October 29, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Andre Gray</strong></h3>
<p>To avoid the drop to the Championship, sometimes a Premier League club needs to take a risk in order to improve their squad. It may come with the possibility of failure, but the success can outweigh the negatives. David Moyes can do just with the pursuit of Burnley striker Andre Gray.</p>
<p>Sunderland ownership made a big push for the 25-year old in the last transfer window ahead of the current season. Gray had <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozs5tDihO5E%22>an incredible campaign in 2015-16</a>, scoring 23 goals and leading the Clarets to a promotion back to the Premier League.</p>
<p>Burnley’s 30 million pound price tag ultimately lead to the deal falling through. But things have changed for all involved since those hectic summer months.</p>
<p>A <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/five-players-sunderland-should-buy-in-january/3/"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/23/burnley-andre-gray-four-match-ban-twitter">four-match ban from the FA in September </a>for vulgar social media posts hurt both Gray’s reputation and form. The talented forward has only one league goal thus far in six matches.</p>
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<p>It would certainly be a risk, but a change of scenery would benefit Gray and Sunderland in many ways. Still young and capable of improvement, the former Luton Town star brings power and pace to the top of the formation. Whether by himself or alongside Jermain Defoe, Gray could see his form back on the rise with a move to the North East.</p>
<p>With so much having changed since the two clubs had spoken about his availability, the transfer fee is undoubtedly negotiable at this point in time. David Moyes and Sunderland could bag one of the best young strikers in England during the January transfer period with Andre Gray being added to the roster.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">