Joe Anderson’s future at Sunderland is in doubt after limited appearances, raising concerns about his impact at the club.
Struggling to secure a spot in Sunderland’s lineup, Anderson has been overshadowed by other defenders, highlighting his challenges in making a mark.
Despite his potential, Anderson’s performance against Preston suggests he may not be suited for Championship football.
In football, not every player succeeds, and at Sunderland, a decision looms on a player who has yet to deliver.
Anderson joined Sunderland from Everton in January 2023 on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Despite never making a senior appearance for Everton, the defender hoped for more opportunities at Sunderland. However, in a year and a half, the 23-year-old has made just five appearances, four of them in the Championship.
Anderson’s latest appearance, against Preston North End, was a chance to impress new manager Regis Le Bris, but instead, it may have signaled the end of his time at the club.
Sunderland initially believed they had signed a player with great potential, as Anderson arrived with a strong reputation as Everton’s under-21 captain. However, his limited first-team opportunities at Sunderland under Tony Mowbray saw him mostly used as a substitute.
Six months after his arrival, Anderson was loaned to League One’s Shrewsbury Town, where he made 30 appearances. With Le Bris now in charge, Anderson had a fresh opportunity, especially with first-choice center-back Dan Ballard injured. However, Aji Alese has since claimed that spot.
In the match against Preston, Anderson started at left-back but struggled, underscoring his difficulties at Championship level and indicating a need for a new challenge.
With plenty of competition for places, Anderson is now low on the list of center-back options at Sunderland. When fit, Ballard and Luke O’Nien form a strong defensive partnership. Behind them, Jenson Seelt, Alese, and Nectarios Triantis are ahead in the pecking order, with Leo Hjelde also an option.
Alese has emerged as Le Bris’ preferred choice to replace the injured Ballard, further diminishing Anderson’s chances.
Since joining from Everton, Anderson has primarily been a substitute at Sunderland, failing to prove his worth. While his loan spell at Shrewsbury provided more playing time, his poor performance against Preston in the EFL Cup might have been his final outing for the Black Cats.
