Credit: Imago

Carla Devine

Mon 9 June 2025 20:00, UK

Sunderland should be looking forward with optimism as they prepare for life in the Premier League.

After a sensational campaign under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats saw off Sheffield United in the 95th minute at Wembley Stadium to gain promotion to the top flight. 

With exits for Tommy Watson and Jobe Bellingham, as well as links away from the Stadium of Light for others, Sunderland could be in for a nervous summer full of change. 

Sunderland have to make a choice

Having seen their form dip dramatically in the final run of the season, Sunderland were not favourites heading into the play-offs.

However, Dan Ballard’s last-minute goal against Coventry City carried his side to Wembley, where the Black Cats showed their spirit once more, doing the same through Watson. 

Nevertheless, there is pressure hanging over all of the newly promoted sides going into the new campaign, with the task of retaining Premier League status getting harder each year.

Therefore, for Sunderland to also be losing key players ahead of their return to the top-flight, it doesn’t make for the most promising of outcomes.

Speaking live on talkSPORT (9 June, 1:25:27), Stuart Pearce urged those at the top, including Kyrill Louis-Dreyfus, to seriously consider which direction they want to take the North Eastern outfit in.

He said: “They’re at an interesting crossroads, I think, as a club.

“They’ve crept up with no form whatsoever going into the play-offs, they’ve managed to win the play-offs, they’re in the Premier League, better players leaving the football club, it’s an interesting one.

“How much do you financially put into the club and give yourself a good chance of staying up next year? It’s a really difficult one for the club.” 

Sunderland have to push for Premier League safety

As Pearce points out, the way the season ended for Sunderland probably puts them in a difficult position at this stage.

Although those at the top will have a plan in place for life in the Premier League, added factors such as the sale of Bellingham will have an impact, positive and negative. 

The Black Cats will likely find themselves with a weaker side going into the start of the Premier League season, which isn’t too promising for a team with the odds already against them. 

However, Sunderland want to retain their position as a solid top-flight side and the only way to achieve that is by putting in the necessary financial backing to strengthen the squad.

It’s going to be a hard balancing act at the Stadium of Light this summer, but Louis-Dreyfus and Sunderland certainly do not want to become a yo-yo club.