What Now For Our Luke?

For years, privately and as an occasional writer for Roker Report, I have banged the drum in support of Luke O’Nien. Since he arrived from Wycombe Wanderers, he has been far more than a likeable individual who smiles a lot. He has been the consummate professional – coaches and fellow players within the club have spoken about his commitment to his own training and development. As club captain, the support that he has offered to the team’s young prospects has been praised, time and time again. He sets

the standards from within the squad.

His conduct, on and off the field, has been exemplary. From saving the life of a drowning dog on Seaburn beach to rescuing stranded Middlesbrough fans on the A19, Luke O’Nien has been everything you could wish for from an ambassador for SAFC. Comparisons with club legends who have embodied what it means to be a Sunderland player have been inevitable. While the team plumbed the depths of League One, O’Nien became this generation’s Kevin Ball.

There are so many iconic images of Luke – his fist pumping after the tackle at Wembley against Wycombe, piggybacking an opponent he was struggling to keep up with, that kiss, running down the Wembley touchline in his socks to celebrate the goals that beat Sheffield United.

The debates about his conversion from midfielder to right back/left back/centre half raged almost endlessly. He became the Swiss Army knife of the squad. Whatever the views of his detractors, coach after coach after coach after coach have recognised his value to the team, and he became a fixture in the sides that brought both Championship and Premier League football back to the Stadium of Light.

But I do wonder how many times we will see him in a Sunderland shirt from now on.

Omar Alderete’s arrival at Sunderland was accompanied by the customary lack of speculation that characterises how the club conducts its transfer business.

I confess that I had never heard of the Paraguayan, who had featured in the nominations for the La Liga team of the year, and qualified for an honourable mention in despatches. He apparently excelled in a Getafe side which was struggling, and which had only just survived in the top flight of Spanish football.

Alderete arrived comparatively late in the transfer window, on the glorious 12th of August. It was, therefore, no surprise that he was named on the bench for the season opener against West Ham.

But barely had the second half started than an injury to Jenson Seelt saw the South American thrust into an unplanned Premier League debut. Just moments later, he delivered a pinpoint cross that Eliezer Mayenda placed beyond the reach of the hapless Mads Hermansen.

Alderete has the physical appearance of a man you would actively avoid in most social situations. If he had become an actor instead of a footballer, he would have fitted comfortably into the cast of ‘Narcos’ or some similarly gritty drama – the kind of quietly menacing demeanour that should unsettle even the most experienced Premier League strikers!

But he is blessed with so much more than being a stereotypical South American defensive hard man.

He has quickly established himself on the left side of defence, in the position where we have been so accustomed to seeing O’Nien’s number 13 shirt.

It is not only O’Nien’s position he has occupied. O’Nien’s ability to both carry and play the ball progressively made him such a key player in both Mowbray and Le Bris’ systems. It is a mantle that Alderete has inherited with ease. His first touch can be exquisite – he can kill a driven pass effortlessly. He carries the ball forward with confidence, can sidestep an opposing attacker, and delivers pinpoint passes, as was perfectly showcased against Brentford, where his personal stats for progression were hugely impressive.

Alderete comfortably balances his ability to launch counter attacks with his defensive duties. The cover that he and Noah Sadiki provided against Brentford allowed Reinildo to forage forward down the left flank, in support of the excellent Enzo Le Fée.

So far, the Paraguayan has partnered Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt and Nordi Mukiele, and he already looks completely at home. Sunderland’s defensive options are now extensive – the talented and hugely experienced quartet of Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo and Masuaku have been added to complement Premier League ready Trai Hume and Dan Ballard. Jhon Lucumi may yet still arrive to add further depth to the back line. If he cannot escape from Bologna, there is every chance that an alternative centre back will be pictured holding the scarf, perhaps on loan, before the transfer deadline passes.

As much as I love Luke O’Nien, I cannot see him being named in the starting XI ahead of the options that Régis Le Bris now has at his disposal. He is no longer the experienced head in an otherwise youthful defensive unit – he is competing for game time with seasoned internationals, with European experience.

When he regains fitness, the ultimate clubman will no doubt bring his undoubted commitment and his infectious enthusiasm to the bench. The problem is that, if Lucumi, or an alternative of similar quality, arrives by deadline day, there may only be a place on it for him if one or more of those others are injured or suspended.

The period around the Africa Cup of Nations may represent an opportunity for him to be involved in the matchday squad but it may only be a brief redemption for him. Beyond that, it is difficult to conceive of a situation where Luke O’Nien features regularly again at the Stadium of Light.

So what now for Luke? Two days after the arrival of Alderete, he signed a new contract until 2027, with a club option of a further 12 months. Kristjaan Speakman’s comments at the time were a testament to the high regard in which he is held by the club hierarchy. More than any other member of the Wembley squad, he has earned the right to stay and compete for his place in the Premier League.

And, right now, there is an obvious role for him. As the undoubted leader of the group which achieved promotion, he is the perfect continuity candidate to help embed the never-say-die, ‘Til the End’ mentality that is so crucial to how Sunderland play, in the new players who are arriving, as the squad is rapidly overhauled.

Beyond that, it becomes more difficult – O’Nien is 30, his personal high standards and professionalism should ensure that he will be fit to play at a high level for several more years.

He is certainly too young and too physically capable to be winding down his playing career. With 130 Championship appearances to his credit, his pedigree at that level is unquestionable.

He is also a born competitor, a warrior who revels in the heat of battle. It remains to be seen how this highly driven individual will adjust to being on the fringes when matchday rolls around and the whistle blows.