Micah Richards fears for Sunderland as new admission made on Match of the Day

Sunderland are back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

Now that the season is over, the debate on how well teams are going to do next season has already begun.

But early predictions from pundits may not make great reading for Sunderland fans, who are excited for the season ahead.

Micah Richards doubtful for Sunderland's Premier League return

Recent discussions on flagship football programmes have seen pundits weigh in on the formidable challenge faced by clubs making the leap to the Premier League.

Reflecting on past seasons, the grim reality for newly promoted outfits has often been stark.

It has been widely noted that recent campaigns have seen some of the lowest points tallies ever recorded for the trio of clubs making the step up, with last season also proving particularly challenging.

Speaking on Match of the Day (25 May), Micah Richards offered a glum outlook as he said: "It's hard (the step up), but I watched Burnley a lot this season, they are defensively really good. 

"Leeds will have money to spend and I fear maybe for Sunderland."

This sentiment, delivered with a directness that has become Richards' hallmark, perfectly encapsulates the prevalent discourse that Sunderland fans, with their long-held aspirations, will undoubtedly need to brace themselves for.

The recent struggles of promoted teams are clearly weighing heavily on pundits' minds when considering any potential newcomers to the Premier League.

Sunderland fans will not dwell on opinions

Despite the external negativity surrounding their potential chances in the Premier League, Regis Le Bris and the Sunderland management team will remain resolutely unfazed.

For a fanbase that has yearned for Premier League football for so long, the journey itself has been arduous.

But after a momentous day at Wembley for Sunderland, there is not a dark cloud in the sky for the Black Cats.

The Mackems will not allow outside noise or cautious predictions to derail their ultimate goal of achieving and sustaining success.

This opportunity represents a chance for the proud North East club to emphatically prove the doubters wrong and establish themselves once again among English football's elite.