Adil Aouchiche is expected to make his maiden senior appearance for Sunderland.
According to The Northern Echo, Mark Venus has conceded that he ‘deserves’ to be near the team after a strong start to life on Wearside. Adil Aouchiche made 11 appearances for Lorient in Ligue 1 but failed to score a professional goal before moving to the Championship.
The Frenchman joined Sunderland on transfer deadline day, but did not make his debut until the 3-1 win over QPR in mid-September.
Tony Mowbray earlier stated that Aouchiche was expected to make his first start for the club against Leicester City following a string of outstanding cameos, but the midfielder was forced out due to injury.
Aouchiche scored his first goal for the club after coming on against Birmingham City, and the Black Cats’ weekend setback to Plymouth Argyle might possibly give the 21-year-old a starting spot tonight.
“He has to be close to the team, he deserves that,” assistant coach Mark Venus stated during the pre-game press conference.
“I think he’s the one who seems to have settled in the quickest of all the players [we brought in over the summer].” He’s a gifted young man, and his performances from the bench have piqued everyone’s interest. I believe you should pay attention to him.
“He scored a fantastic goal for us [against Birmingham City], he created chances for us, and he went very close for us against Plymouth.”
“When he’s on the pitch, he has an impact on the team; he’s a talented individual.” You can see he’s significant to us. As you can see by watching the games, he’s getting stronger and better.”
Can Adil Aouchiche spark the fire needed in Sunderland’s attack?
Adil Aouchiche has had an immediate impact every time he has been subbed in this season, averaging 1.6 vital passes per game, second only to Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts.
With the club now struggling in front of goal, Aouchiche’s confidence might be very beneficial.
Jobe Bellingham has had a respite from international service, but he could certainly benefit from a temporary stint on the bench, and there appears to be no better alternative than Aouchiche. A home game against a struggling Huddersfield Town team is an ideal occasion to make some changes and give outside players a chance to impress and score or assist. If Eliezer Mayenda is given his first start, he should be salivating at the prospect of facing a defense that has allowed 29 goals in 17 games.
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