What’s the transfer strategy ahead of their return to the Premier League? What are the priorities? Could they lose any more stars? Are any surprises in store?
WHAT ARE SUNDERLAND’S TRANSFER PRIORITIES THIS SUMMER?
SCOTT WILSON: Improving the first team. That might sound simplistic, but Sunderland will be prioritising quality over quantity as they look to bring in four or five players who can make an immediate impact on Regis Le Bris’ starting XI.
The focus will be on the spine of the side, with centre-half an obvious priority position given that Chris Mepham has returned to Bournemouth following the end of his loan spell. Re-signing Mepham is an option, but Sunderland have other central-defensive targets they currently regard as more appealing.
A new central midfielder is an essential following Jobe Bellingham’s departure for Borussia Dortmund, and Sunderland will also be signing a new forward. That could mean an out-and-out ‘number nine’, or perhaps more likely, a versatile attacker who can play through the middle or out wide.
DOM SHAW: Adding quality. That has to be priority number one. Ensuring there’s enough depth in certain areas can come later.
Replacing Jobe Bellingham is an obvious must now, with midfield an area where the Black Cats perhaps looked one player short even before the teenager’s exit.
The Black Cats need another central defender and the fact that signing a striker was a priority in January tells us they’re likely to try and add to their attack this summer.
They must also ensure they’re not left short on the flanks. If Patrick Roberts and/or Romaine Mundle get injured, who plays in those wide roles? Two wide attackers are probably required.
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AFTER JOBE BELLINGHAM’S EXIT, DO YOU FEAR THEY COULD LOSE ANY OTHER STARS?
SW: Dan Neil is the major worry. Sunderland do not have a financial need to sell anyone – they stand to make more than £150m from their promotion and are in a strong position in relation to the Premier League’s PSR rules.
However, Neil is due to enter the final year of his current contract next month, and if Sunderland cannot persuade him to sign a new deal, they will not want to run the risk of losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time.
Roma are known to be interested, and they are unlikely to be the only European club waiting to see how contract talks progress. Dennis Cirkin is in an identical contractual position, so the Sunderland hierarchy will also be keen to hold contract talks with the defender and his representatives.
The likes of Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg have all been linked with Premier League clubs in the last couple of seasons, but it is hard to imagine any of the quartet being sold this summer.
DS: As Scott says, Neil is the concern, primarily because of his contract situation. And losing your homegrown captain on the back of winning promotion to the Premier League wouldn’t be a good look.
But surely Sunderland are now in a good place to convince Neil that his future remains on Wearside. He’s the heartbeat of an exciting young side on an upwards trajectory. And he’s getting better. For what it’s worth, I think he’ll sign a new deal.
As for the others, well there’s inevitable interest in the likes of Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard but why would they want to move? And, unless quite simply eye-watering offers were to land, why would Sunderland cash in?
DO YOU EXPECT ANY TRANSFER SURPRISES?
SW: Given the transfer model Sunderland are following, there are always likely to be a few leftfield names arriving at the Stadium of Light.
In his interview with The Northern Echo last week, Kristjaan Speakman stated that he and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus were willing to “tweak” their transfer approach to reflect the fact that a different skillset is needed in the Premier League.
That does not mean there will a radical departure from what has served Sunderland so well in the last few seasons though. Still expect the majority of the Black Cats’ incoming deals to involve young, relatively unproven players who can be developed at the Academy of Light and potentially sold on at a profit. The key difference this summer, though, is that those players might cost €20m rather than £200,000.
DS: Last summer, the signings of Alan Browne and Chris Mepham were something of a surprise, but it was evidence that the Black Cats had learnt from what had gone before and were willing to be flexible when required.
Does that mean Jordan Henderson could sign this summer? Perhaps, let’s watch this space, but there are clearly more pressing priorities club bosses will address first.
The model won’t change, the outlays will. Sunderland will clearly need to pay more for those deemed to possess Premier League quality but they’ll still sign players who they’ll believe can be developed and fulfil their potential on Wearside, before perhaps being sold on at a profit. It’s worked for Sunderland over the last couple of seasons so why change it?
HOW DO YOU THINK SUNDERLAND ARE CURRENTLY SET FOR THEIR RETURN TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
SW: It’s early days. Clearly, getting recruitment right is going to be a massive factor in ensuring Sunderland are able to mount a viable survival push next season.
Having Regis Le Bris in the dugout should help though, with the Frenchman’s tactical pragmatism having played a key role in Sunderland’s promotion success. Unlike some of the bosses that have led newly-promoted teams into the Premier League in recent years, Le Bris will not be getting hung on playing in a certain way.
The support of a sold-out Stadium of Light should also be one of Sunderland’s key strengths next season, with excitement levels set to rise even higher when the fixtures are published next Wednesday.
Clearly, avoiding relegation is going to be a big ask. Sunderland will give it their best shot, though, and whatever happens, the club will be on a stable financial footing to either kick on again or rebuild.
DS: It’s far too early to judge but all that came out of Kristjaan Speakman’s sit down with the Northern Echo last week was positive.
There’s clearly unity behind the scenes at the Academy of Light, which bodes well for the summer transfer window.
And on the pitch, while the Black Cats undoubtedly face an enormous challenge, Regis Le Bris demonstrated on more than enough occasions last season that he’s willing to adapt when required. There will be no repeat of Russell Martin at Southampton last season.
Sunderland will clearly aim for survival but if they finish in the bottom three they’ll be in a strong and healthy position next summer.
