During Lee Johnson’s tenure, much was spoken about the leakiness of the Sunderland defence and the way their exciting attacking football was sometimes counteracted by their vulnerability at the back.
Many defenders came and went during the Johnson era but few made as much of an impression at the Stadium of Light as Dion Sanderson. Sanderson joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 2020-21 season and instantly became an integral part of the side though only playing 26 games due to niggles
that he consistently picked up.
Sanderson was a naturally athletic defender who certainly helped in shoring up the defence and possessed all the components to play at a higher level. Soon into his loan spell, it became clear that we would need to get promoted if we wanted to keep him at the club. After our defeat to Lincoln in the play-offs, a game Sanderson missed due to injury, it was said that the defender would have loved to have stayed at the club if we were promoted.
Sanderson won our Young Player of the Year award and interest was high in him from Championship clubs and whilst Wolves gave him a new contract, the defender was shipped out on loan again to Birmingham City and QPR during the 2021-22 season.
After our successful promotion campaign, reports were emerging that we were going to go for the young defender again to bolster our defence upon our return to the Championship though he had many admirers after further enhancing his reputation during the previous season.
According to the Northern Echo, Sanderson was Sunderland’s number one defensive target with Sheffield United also said to be keen on him. The newspaper further explained that the fact Sanderson had previously played – and enjoyed – his time at the club left the club hopeful of securing his signature on a loan or permanent deal.
Sunderland’s recruitment team are also willing to consider both options, and are hoping Sanderson’s prior experience of life in the North-East will help their cause.
The club accept they face a considerable battle, but there is a determination to do as much as possible in an attempt to land Sanderson, who is currently regarded as the club’s number one defensive target.
Unfortunately, Sanderson’s connections to Birmingham City and given he wasn’t moving far from where he was from appeared to be a more suitable option for the defender, who signed for the Brummies in early July of 2022.
Sunderland moved on to different options which saw Dan Ballard join the club from Arsenal in a move that clearly worked out for both parties! As for Sanderson, he’s never really seemed to settle anywhere, and after a lan spell at Blackburn he joined Derby on loan at the beginning of the 25/26 season, making the move permanent in January.
