Dan Plumley reacts to new Sunderland kit leak controversy
Sunderland will undergo significant changes on and off the field as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign in eight years.
In terms of signings, the Black Cats will tweak their transfer model to buy players of a higher calibre.
The impending sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund will give them some significant funds to aid their cause, helping with PSR too.
Elsewhere, Sunderland supporters have been reacting to their proposed new away shirt, but its possible sponsor appears divisive.
Sunderland could have controversial sponsor
Sunderland supporters have every right to feel excited about their potential new shirt, a throwback to the 1988/91 away strip.
Although it has not been confirmed, a leak has emerged, with a model spotted sporting it on a beach.
However, football finance expert Dan Plumley thinks the Wearsiders could face problems in the future, given that possible sponsor W88 is an unlicensed betting company.
“They’re causing a bit of an issue at the minute, in terms of them being unlicensed,” he exclusively told Mackem News when asked about the potential sponsor.
“We know the Premier League are going to have the betting ban on the front of shirt sponsor advertising, which doesn’t actually kick in until the end of the 2025/26 season.
“We’re not quite there yet with that one, but we’ve seen other stories around these unlicensed betting companies that the Premier League are looking to clamp down on.
“They’ll be in contact with the club, you would imagine on this, but it’s a tricky one to judge at this stage.
“It’s a kit leak rather than anything confirmed, so it will be one to keep an eye on, but the official ban does not come in for another season.
“The unlicensed companies are causing a bit of an issue at the minute, so it’s something that the club will be mindful of, and you imagine there being dialogue with the Premier League about it.”
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus lays down marker with Enzo Le Fee signing
The Enzo Le Fee signing is a statement of intent by the Sunderland hierarchy, given he is a club-record arrival from AS Roma.
When he first walked out at the Stadium of Light, there was sizeable hype around his talent as he looked a cut above the Championship.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Director of Football Kristjaan Speakman will likely pursue similar deals to bring in players of that standing.
Wilfried Singo and Cedric Kipre have both been linked with Sunderland, and the former would come at a cost.
These are promising signs for the Wearsiders, and whatever happens, this will be a season to savour.