By Zach Lowy
After spending the previous eight years within the Championship and League One, the Black Cats are again within the top-flight, and so they’ve ready for his or her return by splurging a complete of €130.9 million on new signings. However can they make a return on their funding by staving off the specter of relegation? FotMob spoke to 3 Sunderland supporters to seek out out.
When Sunderland appointed Régis Le Bris in June 2024, they had been coming off a dismal Sixteenth-place end in England’s second tier. Nevertheless, the Frenchman didn’t take lengthy to make an impression on his gamers and switch round their fortunes, with Sunderland profitable their first 4 league fixtures and ascending to first place, solely to finish up dropping out of the 2 automated playoff spots and ending fourth within the desk. Sunderland would then proceed to edge previous Coventry Metropolis within the promotion playoffs due to a 123rd-minute purpose from Daniel Ballard, earlier than erasing an early deficit and defeating Sheffield United 2-1 courtesy of Tom Watson’s Ninety fifth-minute winner.
“Le Bris has been vastly vital,” acknowledged Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley. “He’s introduced readability, pragmatism, and a peaceful authority to the membership. He makes strong selections and hasn’t wavered in his beliefs, even below strain. That consistency has helped Sunderland rediscover perception – not simply in themselves, however within the general course the membership goes. Sunderland might want to adapt to the Premier League, however the core philosophy doesn’t want ripping up – it simply wants evolving for the next degree.”
The Black Cats showcased a practical method all through the 2024/25 marketing campaign, switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 and reaching success with their aggressive, counter-pressing setup. They thrived at grinding out video games with their organized defensive setup, sitting deep and weathering the storm earlier than transitioning with their speedy counter-attacking unit. Sunderland ranked twelfth within the EFL Championship for correct passes per match (335.8) and common possession (49.1%), and as such, they possible gained’t need to tweak their model as the opposite promoted sides – Leeds and Burnley.
“From just about the primary whistle of the season, Le Bris had us taking part in a urgent model that relied on sitting deep and countering with tempo,” acknowledged Gav Henderson of Roker Report. “It actually developed over the course of the season, however that’s what we caught with and that’s what finally received us promoted. Le Bris is meticulous and is aware of precisely what he’s doing…he spends each second of the day attempting to be the perfect Head Coach that he can presumably be. I’ve by no means seen a extra detail-obsessed supervisor on the helm at Sunderland; he’s the important thing to our success.”
Every of the Premier League’s final six promoted sides have been instantly relegated again right down to the Championship, and it’ll take a Herculean effort from Sunderland as they give the impression of being to cease that development. So as to take action, they’ve splashed the money on a variety of proficient younger gamers like 20-year-old midfielder Noah Sadiki (€17m), 20-year-old winger Chemsdine Talbi (€20m), 23-year-old winger Simon Adingra (€20m), and 21-year-old midfielder Habib Diarra, who has joined from Strasbourg for a club-record €31.5m. They’ve additionally introduced in two battle-hardened veterans in Reinildo Mandava (free) and Granit Xhaka (€15m) and accomplished the everlasting signing of Enzo Le Fée for €23m.
Judging by the standard of their new signings and the general expenditure, it’s evident that Sunderland aren’t trying to make up the numbers – they’re searching for to thrive, not merely survive. These gamers not solely have Premier League and Champions League pedigree, however they’ve additionally proven that they’ll flourish in high-pressure environments and ship the products, having helped their groups win Bundesliga, LaLiga and Belgian Professional League titles in addition to AFCON titles. It’s why, regardless of shedding two key figures in Watson (to Brighton) and Jobe Bellingham (to Dortmund), Sunderland seem well-equipped to not solely return to the Premier League, however accomplish that in model. Sunderland exhibit zero indicators of slowing down of their funding and are eager to strengthen their assault with a flexible striker along with one other goalkeeper and centre-back. However whereas they’ve put their religion behind Le Bris and given him a much-needed squad makeover, it’s evident there’s nonetheless loads that they’ll must work on going into the brand new season.
“The most important room for enchancment on final season is consistency; generally we blew groups out of the water with our press, and in different video games, we sat off far too deep,” acknowledged Sunderland journalist Ethan Todd. “Inconsistency is to be anticipated with a younger squad, however we have to keep the identical id and depth each sport subsequent season. I don’t assume it’s Le Bris’ model to overextend and go all out on the assault. They won’t shirk accountability and let groups have a free hit, however he all the time approaches video games very pragmatically and in a calculated method.”
Can Sunderland do one thing that Luton City, Burnley, Sheffield United, Leicester Metropolis, Ipswich City and Southampton have all did not do over the earlier two years: keep away from relegation as a promoted facet? It stays to be seen, however one factor’s for positive: the Stadium of Gentle can be rocking on August 17 for his or her opening match towards West Ham due to a legion of supporters who, for the primary time shortly, are daring to dream.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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