Sunderland Chasing Bayern Munich Defender? By Andy Tomlinson @SAFCsource on Dec 21, 2015, 7:24a + Edit Entry please log in to view this image Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Admin Actions EDIT THIS ARTICLE CREATE STREAM FROM THIS ARTICLE CLOSE COMMENTS SEE AVAILABLE ENTRY IMAGES Removal DELETE THIS ARTICLE Bayern Munich's Jan Kirchhoff has emerged as a possible January transfer target for Sam Allardyce. TWEET SHARE (11) PIN With the recent departure of Lee Congerton as Sporting Director, Sam Allardyce has been busy taking the lead role in preparing Sunderland's January transfer dealings. After recent rumours linking the club with a move for Lamine Kone and James Collins, Allardyce is also said to be interested in Bayern Munich's versatile defender Jan Kirchhoff. According to respected German publication kicker.de, a delegation from Sunderland have been at Bayern's training ground over the last week to discuss a possible move for the 25-year-old, in which Bayern's Sporting Director Mattias Sammer and their Technical Director Michael Reschke admitted that they would probably allow the player to leave. Kirchhoff has struggled for playing time since joining the German champions from Mainz due to a combination of the strength of their squad and injuries. After a failed loan move to Schalke, he has recently dropped down to Bayern's reserve squad for playing time and ahead of a potential January transfer. The 6'5" central defender, who is noted for his passing and heading abilities, can also play in a defensive midfield and would give Sunderland a much needed defensive boost. Particularly at centre back where there is little cover or competition for Sebastian Coates, Younes Kaboul and John O'Shea. The defender's contract is up in the summer but the report claims that should Sunderland make a move for Kirchhoff in January, that Bayern's expected asking price - which wasn't mentioned - would not be a problem.
I've took one look at his playing career and injury record and I don't think he's what we need at this time. He hasn't played any games this season, he played 14 games last season and had his loan at Schalke cut short, he played 9 games the season before that and 18 games at Mainz 3 seasons ago. In fact he has only ever played more than 20 games in a season once throughout his career. He's never managed 30 games in a season before. So basically, away from how injury prone he seems to be, I'd imagine he's going to be quite rusty as well with the lack of playing time.
Based on those figures, he doesn't look like he's suitable for the type of football he'll find in the PL. So I'm out.
It smells to high heaven more budget bollocks. The players we need play games and we need to test clubs to obtain them. More crocks who don't play ffs. Ellis seems hell bent on taking us down. I want him to go whether we stay up or not. Doesn't have the stones for this industry. We need to be linked with better. We're shopping in Nettos again if this is indeed the sort of target we're looking at.
Bit worried about this bit. Kirchhoff has struggled for playing time since joining the German champions from Mainz due to a combination of the strength of their squad and injuries. After a failed loan move to Schalke, he has recently dropped down to Bayern's reserve squad for playing time and ahead of a potential January transfer.
