Denver Hume
The quality in the cross from @Denver_Hume đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/nypI3UULt6
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 10, 2019
If Roughan leaves, we’ll need a left-back ready to start. Enter Denver Hume. Once a Sunderland regular and most recently at Grimsby Town, Hume is available on a free and boasts more than 100 League One appearances. What’s more, he’s coming off a strong season in League Two, where he registered an eye-catching 12 assists in 43 starts.
Hume’s strengths are attacking — crosses, overlaps, and dead-ball delivery. He created more chances than any other left-back in League Two and was in the top percentile for successful crosses and accuracy. Defensively, he’s solid, but not elite — the one weakness being aerial duels. That said, with aerially dominant centre-backs in place, you can afford an offensive full-back.
At 26, he’s not a project. Hume would walk into most League One teams and, importantly, he wouldn’t require a transfer fee. The biggest obstacle would be wages and competition — his pedigree will attract suitors. But if we want a ready-made starter who improves us immediately down the left, Hume’s name has to be near the top of the list.