The season has been highly frustrating for Sunderland, as they had anticipated replicating the success of the previous season. However, for various reasons, this hasn’t materialized, making the upcoming summer crucial for the club’s progression. With the need to appoint a new manager and the possibility of player departures, the club faces significant decisions ahead.
Sunderland currently boasts a youthful squad and intends to continue in this direction. Players currently on loan elsewhere perceive it as an opportunity to return and showcase their worth for the upcoming season’s team selection.
One such player is defender Nectarios Triantis, who spent time on loan at Scottish side Hibernian since January. Given his performance during this loan spell, he could emerge as a viable long-term solution to challenges currently faced by Sunderland.
Nectarios Triantis joined Hibernian on loan in January
Nectarios Triantis embarked on his football journey in Australia, representing teams like Western Sydney and the Central Coast, before catching Sunderland’s eye in the summer transfer window.
Despite being relatively unknown in England at just 20 years old, Sunderland were evidently impressed by his performances in Australia.
Initially, Triantis had to wait for his chance to shine at Sunderland. However, in January, the club opted to loan him to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.
This decision has proven beneficial for both Triantis and Sunderland, as he has gained valuable playing time in Scotland. Given his performances there, he could potentially address a challenge faced by Sunderland in the Championship.
Sunderland could solve their midfield issue with the return of Nectarios Triantis
Sunderland is expected to be active in the upcoming summer transfer window, particularly in addressing certain key positions, with midfield being one area of focus. While the club does have players available for this role, the options are limited.
The acquisition of Callum Styles from Barnsley in January hasn’t gone as planned, potentially resulting in the deal not being made permanent. Additionally, Jay Matete was loaned out to Oxford United, further reducing midfield options.
As a result, players like Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah have shouldered significant responsibility in midfield. Strengthening this area is imperative, and Sunderland could potentially benefit financially from Nectarios Triantis’ loan stint at Hibernian.
Although Sunderland initially signed Triantis as a central defender, his deployment at Hibernian has seen him utilized further up the pitch. Hibs have opted to deploy the Australian as a holding midfielder in their last three league games, suggesting his versatility and potential usefulness in bolstering Sunderland’s midfield.
| Nectarios Triantis’ 2023/24 Premiership stats for Hibernian | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 10 |
| Minutes per game | 63 |
| Passing accuracy | 26.8 (76%) |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Key passes | 0.6 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.3 |
| Tackles per game | 1.5 |
| Balls recovered | 3.7 |
| Average rating | 6.64 |
| Stats as per Sofascore.com (As of 10th of April) | |
Despite Hibernian’s limited success during this period, Triantis has notably adapted well to his role as a holding midfielder.
In the ten games he has played for Hibernian, Triantis has started seven, demonstrating a consistent presence on the field. According to Sofascore.com, he has created one significant scoring opportunity for his teammates and averages 0.6 key passes per game.
However, Triantis’ defensive contributions have been equally impressive. He averages 0.3 interceptions and 1.5 tackles per game, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposition play. Additionally, he has recovered the ball 3.7 times on average per game, a testament to his defensive awareness and work rate. Notably, Hibernian has kept one clean sheet with Triantis on the pitch, further highlighting his defensive impact.
Certainly, there’s a distinction between playing as a holding midfielder for Hibernian and potentially doing so for Sunderland. However, at just 20 years old, Triantis has ample time for further development and adaptation to the role.
His promising performances suggest that he could offer valuable depth to Sunderland’s midfield, potentially negating the need to sign additional midfielders this summer. This not only saves the club resources but also provides flexibility for the new Sunderland manager in the midfield department. Triantis appears to be settling comfortably into the role, offering a promising prospect for the club moving forward.