Since Ross Stewart left Sunderland last summer, the team has been without an established number nine.
In reality, with Ross Stewart rarely playing last season, Sunderland will have been without an established No. 9 for the past two seasons until this current campaign concludes.
The Black Cats have relied heavily on Jack Clarke, particularly this season, the 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in the Championship.
Clarke, however, may have played his final game for Sunderland after suffering an ankle injury that will keep him out until at least April.
And, with the former Spurs player expected to leave the club this summer, the Black Cats will be left with little goal threat.
The stage is set for Luis Hemir to step up for Sunderland
Luis Hemir, Sunderland’s summer addition, has been generally disappointing this season but remains popular among fans.
The Portuguese attacker signed from Benfica, and there was a lot of pressure on him to contribute goals for Sunderland, especially when Stewart moved to Southampton.
However, in 16 Championship outings for Sunderland, Hemir has yet to score, and he has not started a league game since the season’s opening day.
Hemir impressed coming off the bench against Swansea City last time out, and Mike Dodds has now spoken about the player’s current situation at the club, as well as his future.
Dodds told the Sunderland Echo ahead of the game against Norwich City today:
“He’s taken some time to adjust to life in England; he’s a 20-year-old boy who came over by himself and has never left his home country. Sometimes those boys simply need a little time. He’s a fantastic finisher; he still needs to work on his fitness, but he’s made progress, and I believe that’s why his performance has improved in recent games where he’s appeared. I believe there is a clear link between his getting fitter and his performance level improving.”
Dodds concluded:
“He’s going to be a huge asset for the football game and he will definitely be in the thinking for the next few games, definitely.”
Sunderland must fast-track Hemir into the XI in time for next season
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, once again there appears to be pressure on Hemir to take on the responsibility of scoring goals for Sunderland.
While the Black Cats are expected to benefit from the summer departure of Clarke and possibly a couple of others, there is also the possibility of the club incurring a compensation fee to bring in a new manager, potentially Will Still from Reims.
Given Sunderland’s tendency to be financially prudent, it seems unlikely that they will spend extravagantly on a new striker. Therefore, Hemir, along with players like Nazariy Rusyn, will need to step up their game next season.
Hemir shares many characteristics with Stewart, being a taller striker who is also physically robust and agile, with a demonstrated ability to finish, as pointed out by Dodds.
By the summer, Hemir will have had time to adjust to the pace and physicality of the Football League, and with another pre-season under his belt, he should reach a level of fitness where he can start matches regularly.
The key will then be to get him scoring goals, and Dodds could use the remaining games of the season to integrate Hemir more into the first team and provide him with the exposure he requires.
Scoring in the final weeks of the season would greatly boost Hemir’s confidence.
Sunderland is set to face Norwich City this afternoon.
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