How Roma Winger Matias Soule Would Slot Perfectly Into Sunderland Starting XI - comment

Amid the summer transfer window, in recent days, Sunderland have been linked with a move for AS attacker Matias Soule, which has spawned ample excitement amongst the Black Cats faithful on social media.

According to various reports in Italy, Sunderland have been credited with interest in the Argentinian talent, but Italian football journalist Alfredo Pedulla suggests that it has been a 'timid' investigation and that no negotiations have begun between the parties.

Therefore, that leaves the Black Cats transfer team waiting in the wings for the Roma playmaker rather than making an active bid, but considering the level of talent that Soule has shown to be, the Sunderland supporters will be desperate to see the club ramp up their interest in the 23-year-old.

When analysing the qualities he possesses in attack and the profile of player he is, the former Juventus starlet could be the ideal marquee signing for Sunderland in the summer transfer window, one that could propel them to glory in the Premier League and Europa League next season.

When discussing the potential signing of Soule by Sunderland, the important factor is to contextualise him in regard to the needs of Regis Le Bris' current Black Cats squad, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

As a result of newly-promoted Sunderland's stunning feat, Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi has explained that the Black Cats are searching for quality rather than quantity in the summer transfer window, and Soule would certainly fall under that category.

After making the move from Juventus to Roma in the summer of 2024 for a near £25m fee, the Argentinian youth international has returned double digits for combined goals and assists in all competitions in his first two campaigns at the Stadio Olimpico, with ten in 2024/25 and 14 last term.

Aside from his proven goal output, what makes Soule an ideal signing for Sunderland is his ability to play as a right-winger or number ten, and the attacking abilities he provides in those key areas.

According to transfermarkt.com, Soule has played 92 out of his 193 club games at right-wing - scoring 15 and notching eight assists - but has also played 97 of those in the number ten role, with 20 goals and 19 assists when playing in tandem behind his striker.

However, what potentially makes him so appealing to Sunderland is that his most prolific career season in front of goal came during his 2023/24 loan stint from Juventus at Frosinone, during which he scored 11 goals and registered three assists in 36 Serie A outings.

Matias Soule's career goalscoring record (data as per Fotmob):

Therefore, Soule could be the answer to the right-wing role at Sunderland, which was a severe problem position for Le Bris throughout last season, with the Argentine appearing to be the left-footed version of Sunderland playmaker Enzo Le Fee, or even the heir to ex-Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo.

With Soule's chance creation, close dribbling ability and proven eye for goal at right-wing for Sunderland, and either Chemsdine Talbi or Nilson Angulo on the opposite wing driving either side of Brian Brobbey, supported by Le Fee in the number ten, that would make the Black Cats a far more dangerous attacking outlet in comparison to last season.

As well as his clear attacking qualities, Soule would also seem to be a fit for Le Bris' Sunderland ethos in terms of his work out-of-possession, with the Roma attacker ranking in the top percentile of Serie A attackers last term for recoveries in the final third.

Given Soule's potential to a club-record signing, it would be an extremely exciting addition to the Sunderland squad, and the Black Cats faithful will be hoping that the move can begin to materialise as the window progresses given the depths of talent that the technically-gifted playmaker could bring to the Stadium of Light.