“I think it’s time to cut ties” – Sunderland facing decision involving 29-year-old: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland are facing several dilemmas when it comes to contract situations.

The obvious one right now is of course Ross Stewart’s situation at the Stadium of Light with a resolution still yet to be solidified, albeit it sounds like talks are now progressing.

One man whose contract expires at Sunderland this summer is that of Carl Winchester.

The 2021 arrival has been out on loan at League One play-off hopefuls Shrewsbury Town this season and Mowbray and co face a decision on whether to extend his SAFC stay or move him on..

The team here at FLW offer their thoughts on the dilemma….

Adam Jones

The one big positive about Winchester is the fact he’s versatile – able to operate both in the middle of the park and at right-back.

He would be particularly useful in an injury crisis – but it does feel as though he’s a player who belongs in another Black Cats era.

In midfield, he may end up blocking the path of others if he stays with Dan Neil, Edouard Michut (if he joins permanently), Pierre Ekwah, Abdoullah Ba, Jay Matete and Chris Rigg all needing game time at the Stadium of Light if they want to fulfil their potential.

And at right-back, it’s probably worth Tony Mowbray giving game time to the likes of Trai Hume, Niall Huggins and Luke O’Nien over Winchester with the former three staying put on Wearside this season, so the current Shrewsbury Town loanee’s future looks bleak.

It doesn’t feel as though it would be worth keeping him on the wage bill.

Quiz: Can you name which club Sunderland signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

Kevin Ball

Brighton Fulham Portsmouth Southampton

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

I think Sunderland should definitely be letting Carl Winchester go at the end of his current deal, which is due to expire this summer.

The fact the Black Cats loaned him out when promoted to the Championship tells me they didn’t fancy having him at this level and Sunderland as a club only have their eyes fixed forward in terms of trajectory over the next few years.

In that sense, offering the 29-year-old a new deal to extend his current stay would make little sense.

If Winchester were a youngster, the situation might be different, but at this stage of the Northern Irishman’s career, the best move for all parties seems to be an end to the relationship.

Sunderland can then focus on having players with the ability to match their no doubt ambitious goals over the next few seasons, meanwhile, Winchester can find a club at third tier level, where regular football is a much more likely proposition.

Sam Rourke

I think it’s time to cut ties.

Carl Winchester has been a useful member of the Sunderland squad ever since his arrival at the Stadium of Light in 2012, making over 60 appearances for the Black Cats.

He’s a versatile operator that has meant he’s been utilised in various positions during his time with the club which is beneficial, but can also have his drawbacks.

I think Winchester somewhat struggled to nail down a defined position consistently and he’s clearly not in Tony Mowbray’s plans given he was loaned out to Shrewsbury Town this term.

Sunderland seem to be going down a more youthful looking route and a lot of their recent recruits have all followed that sort of trend which suggests Winchester’s days at the club are coming to an end.

For Winchester, I’d imagine he’ll be keen to be playing as regularly as possible given his age and I fully expect him to move on from Sunderland when his contract expires.