Regis Le Bris admits Sunderland must strengthen in key area to achieve Premier League survival
Sunderland have already bolstered the majority of positions in their squad as they prepare for the Premier League.
The Black Cats have spent north of £100million, but there will likely be more additions before the deadline.
Regis Le Bris’ midfield has undergone a significant makeover, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, and Noah Sadiki among the arrivals.
While Sunderland have signed Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea, the Wearsiders must do more after their pre-season record.
Le Bris addresses lack of Sunderland cutting edge
Eliezer Mayenda missed a penalty for Sunderland as they recorded their second win of pre-season against Augsburg.
The Black Cats and penalties are far from a perfect match, with the North East club missing four out of five last term.
However, the concerning trend in pre-season has been the lack of goals, as they have only scored three in their last six.
| Date | Result |
| 19 July | Sevilla 1-1 Sunderland |
| 21 July | Sporting CP 1-0 Sunderland |
| 26 July | Hearts 3-0 Sunderland |
| 29 July | Hull City 2-1 Sunderland |
| 2 August | Sunderland 0-1 Real Betis |
| 9 August | Augsburg 1-0 Sunderland |
“Today we created many chances but we were not clinical,” said Le Bris via the Sunderland Echo (10 August).
“It’s still an important part to develop because we know in the Premier League we won’t have many chances and we have to be very clinical when they come.
“Out of possession we worked well, many details to develop but we have one more week to go further.”
Evidently, the Frenchman knows there is a problem up front, and it is something the Wearsiders must amend before the window closes.
Read more: Marc Guiu v Eliezer Mayenda: Who will lead the line for Sunderland?
Black must strengthen attack for Premier League
Despite finishing the Championship season in fourth, goals became an issue for the Black Cats.
Le Bris’ side finished the season with 58 goals, which made them the joint ninth-highest scoring team in the division, alongside Portsmouth.
Pre-season has only emphasised that problem, although Guiu could go some way to solving it.
The Black Cats may assess their options after the first couple of games, and if there is a lack of output against West Ham, Burnley, and Brentford, then they must act with haste.
- The North East club’s goals dried up in the second half of the 2024/25 season
- Pre-season has followed a similar narrative
- Guiu is the only striker to arrive on Wearside
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a move to Sunderland and could be an option if he is still available.
However, a return for Brighton’s Danny Welbeck would go down better, given his affiliation with the North East club.
Welbeck has one year remaining on his deal at the Amex Stadium and could leave if the Seagulls strengthen.
Supporters will get behind their team and hope they can drive their strikers on in front of goal.
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