The Watchlist – James McClean

Sunderland’s 23-year-old Irish winger James McClean proved to be one of the revelations of the 2011/12 season. After impressing new Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill  during training last December, this bench warmer was swiftly promoted from the reserves to the first-team. He made his first start for the Black Cats in their 1-0 victory over Manchester City on New Year’s Day and just two days later scored his first senior goal as Sunderland thrashed Wigan 4-1. It was to be the first of five goals over the second half of the season that saw the winger assist a further three and register 101 pts.

Already this year McClean has hit the ground running, earning maximum bonus during Sunderland’s opening game away to Arsenal with an EA Sports Index PPI of 14 indicative of his suitability to the scoring system. This suggests his style of fearless, attacking wing play will rack up far more bonus points over the season and replicate or perhaps surpass last term’s bonus haul of 18, bearing in mind that was accrued over just 20 starts.

After starting the previous campaign at just 4.5m in FPL, the winger has been priced higher at 6.5, while the Sky Sports game have handed him a price tag of 5.9m. This still represents something of a bargain for a player that is clearly earmarked for regular starts by O’Neill this season and as a result has earned a deserved place on our watchlist. O’Neill said:

“The fantastic thing about him is his capacity for hard work. I could play full-back behind him.”

In addition the Sunderland manager has indicated he plans to shift McClean from his usual left wing role to the right to help him develop as a player. O’Neill added:

“I genuinely don’t think it’s tough for him to learn to play on the right. He’s capable of cutting inside on people and showing that type of spark. I’ve tried him on the right-hand side where I think he can play pretty adeptly. And we’ll continue to try to shift him around and see how he does. The best way for him to learn is for him to play for 10 or 15 minutes in those positions.”

Fixtures have fallen kindly for Sunderland (RDG, swa, LIV, whm, WIG, mci) and McClean looks a strong mid-price midfield option, especially at home, for the coming weeks. McClean is also an appealing differential, with just 3.4% of FPL ownership – while his midfield colleague Seb Larsson (6.5m in the FPL game but at 6.2m in the Sky Sports game) enjoys three times as many FPL owners due to his seven goals and four assists last season, it’s worth noting he played 850 more minutes than McClean, though the Swede’s spot-kick duties add to his appeal.

According to media speculation, Sunderland are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in Manchester City winger Adam Johnson ahead of the transfer deadline – it remains to be seen how he will impact on McClean’s gametime should he be signed, though given O’Neill’s level of faith, it’s unlikely he would oust the Irishman from the Black Cats first XI.