Sunderland AFC have added to their attacking game by snapping up Ricky Álvarez on loan from Inter Milan. Álvarez, 26, should slot in at attacking midfield for the Black Cats after being deemed surplus to requirements by nerazzurri boss Walter Mazzarri, despite enjoying an outstanding start to last season in Serie A.
Ricky Álvarez joins Sunderland on loan
Argentinian attacking midfielder Ricky Álvarez has moved to Sunderland on a season-long loan deal from Inter Milan.
Giuseppe Bellini
Ricky Alvarez completes his move to become #SAFC's 9th summer signing: http://t.co/xxY8hjbFpy #transferdeadlineday pic.twitter.com/dTTgd8Euen
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 1, 2014 Whether he’ll fit, however, is a fairly big question. A slow, thoughtful and immensely tactically-minded playmaker, Álvarez doesn’t fit with Inter’s new style, but the frenetic pace of the Premier League does not immediately come to mind as the ideal home for players of his ilk. Sunderland, however, are obviously impressed, and rolling the dice on an immensely talented player is a smart move for teams that expect to be stuck in the relegation fight.
And at least the Black Cats don’t have to pay a full transfer fee if it doesn’t work out.
