“Your only issue is” – Aaron Connolly “problem” identified as ex-Hull City star joins Sunderland AFC

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Aaron Connolly has completed a move to Sunderland as a free agent following his departure from Hull City at the end of last season.

The Ireland international spent 18 months with the Tigers, but suffered a number of injury issues which prevented him from playing consistently.

This contributed to his exit at the end of his contract, having featured just 33 times for the Yorkshire outfit in the Championship, including just 17 starts (all stats from Fbref).

However, he scored 10 league goals in that time, with Sunderland hoping he can add some extra firepower to Régis le Bris’ side this season, having signed a one-year deal according to the BBC.

Hull City verdict on Aaron Connolly’s Sunderland move

When asked about whether Connolly signing for Sunderland was a gamble, FLW’s Hull City fan pundit claimed that he has the potential to score 15 to 20 goals in the Championship as long as he stays fit.

However, he has warned that fitness issues could be what holds him back at Sunderland.

“I liked Connolly, there’s definitely a player there,” Northgraves told Football League World.

“Your only issue is keeping him fit.

“He got eight goals for us last season, and the majority of his appearances were off the bench.

“I think he only made 13 starts, but he’s a cracking player and he’s a goal-scorer.

“If he could be consistent and stay fit at this level, he would score plenty in this league.

“I 100 per cent believe he’s a 15 to 20 striker if he has a full season of playing, 46 games.

“But the problem is just keeping him fit, he just appears to be made out of glass.

“He’s constantly in the treatment room, and then there’s question marks over his behaviour off the pitch, going into nightclubs and that kind of thing.

“I just think he needs a permanent home to get himself re-energised, focused, give him a bit of stability.

“Because he’s a player that’s clearly talented, he broke through in the Premier League for Brighton, and he looked some player.

“He’s got international experience with Ireland, and he’s been really good for the season-and-a-half that we had him.

“Hopefully at Sunderland he finds a permanent home, and stays fit this season in order to get a longer-term contract because he’s a good player.”

Sunderland league position

Connolly will be hoping he can play a role in helping Sunderland fight for promotion this season, with the team currently second in the Championship table.

The Black Cats have won five of their opening six games, with their only dropped points coming with a defeat against Plymouth Argyle.

Le Bris’ side are the joint-top scorers in the division so far, and now have Connolly to choose from as part of their attacking options.

The forward will have the chance to make his Sunderland debut this weekend when the club takes on Watford on 28 September in a 3pm kick-off, although he’ll face competition for game time against the in-form Eliezer Mayenda.

Connolly signing will depend entirely on his fitness

The gamble to sign Connolly is relatively risk-free given he was a free agent, and it’s just a one-year deal.

He adds good experience to the side, having played in the Premier League and Championship for multiple seasons already at the age of just 24.

If he can stay fit then he will score goals, that’s evidenced by his performances at Hull, he’s an excellent finisher and knows how to find the back of the net regularly at this level.

But his fitness is a concern, and he could easily end up playing only a handful of games if these issues persist.