Kevin Phillips thrilled with Sunderland transfer business that is pleasing for everyone
Sunderland have finalised their squad ahead of the remainder of the Premier League season.
Regis Le Bris’ side find themselves sitting eighth in the standings after an exceptional start upon their return to the Premier League.
Sunderland invested heavily over the summer, bringing the likes of Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Chemsdine Talbi and more to the Stadium of Light.
The January window was much quieter for the club, with the month mainly being used for departures, however they struck a deal to bring in exciting Ecuadorian winger Nilson Angulo on deadline day.
Ex-Black Cats striker Kevin Phillips has praised Sunderland’s business at the start of the year, outlining that one departure in particular is “strategic.”
Kevin Phillips praises winter business despite departures
Over the course of January, Sunderland confirmed loan exits for three players, while Patrick Roberts’ move to Birmingham City was made permanent after spending the first half of the season on loan in the Midlands.
Dan Neil joined Ipswich Town, Anthony Patterson made the switch to Millwall, and summer signing Simon Adingra moved overseas to Monaco.
“I think that just sums up the recruitment at Sunderland,” Phillips told the Sunderland Echo, while he claimed that Adingra’s exit is “pleasing for everyone.”
“It’s been very strategic. They’ve always got a plan in place. They’ve always got a back-up. So they certainly wouldn’t have let Adingra go unless they had a replacement,” the former striker added.
And that happened to be the aforementioned Angulo, who joins the club after scoring six times and registering seven assists for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League.
“I don’t think there are a lot of supporters who are disappointed he’s gone away, gone on loan to try and rediscover some form,” concluded Phillips on Adingra.
Read more: Alan Shearer names Sunderland ace in Team of the Week, he showed what they’ve been missing
Sunderland seem ready for European charge
After starting the season like a house on fire, Sunderland’s form tailed off over the Christmas period, with just one win in seven before the 3-0 win against Burnley on Monday.
Crucially, the Black Cats lost just twice during this period, with the added points keeping them in the hunt for Europe.
Sunderland are back up to eighth following the win against their fellow promoted side, and the energetic performance levels shown on Monday prove that Le Bris’ side have hit the reset button ahead of what will hopefully be an uptick in form.
With the addition of Angulo, the improving form of Talbi, and the emergence of Habib Diarra following time on the sidelines and subsequent AFCON showing, Sunderland look ready to go all the way in their push for a positive finish.