Regis Le Bris shares Sunderland transfer demand after Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson exits
Sunderland have finalised their squad for the remainder of the Premier League season.
Regis Le Bris’ side sit eighth in the standings, carrying an impressive 12-match unbeaten league run at the Stadium of Light.
Over the recent winter transfer window, the Black Cats saw more players involved in their ascent to the top flight depart, with Patrick Roberts and academy stars Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson all moving on to pastures new.
With a push for European football seemingly on the cards, the Sunderland project is not looking to slow down any time soon.
Le Bris has outlined his hopes for the coming months as the club continues to build and firmly cement themselves in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris outlines future hopes for Sunderland project
After securing their ascent via a last-gasp Tommy Watson winner against Sheffield United at Wembley, Sunderland would completely reshape their side as they prepared for the Premier League.
Many of those involved in promotion were phased out, including local pair Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson, who had risen through the Sunderland ranks during the club’s time in the lower tiers.
“Yeah, we spent last season, a long, long season together,” Le Bris told the Sunderland Echo.
“I had a special relationship with them, especially for my first year in England. So it was a perfect season, we struggled at times because it was tough and long, but this group with Dan, with Pat, with many players was really impressive, and the connection is still there, even if they don’t play for Sunderland now,” added the Frenchman.
Both Neil and Patterson would leave the club on loan in January, joining Ipswich and Millwall, respectively. Though Neil’s move comes with the expiration of his Sunderland contract at the end of the season, giving him ample time to get minutes under his belt ahead of a potential move.
With the pair leaving, Le Bris said: “Now I think the identity of the club is clear, well connected with the game model, with the way we want to recruit as well.
“Because we are aligned (behind the scenes), I think we can work together and we can avoid mistakes about profile.”
Le Bris has his side sitting eighth in the Premier League, with Sunderland well in the race for European football. He emphasised the importance of his current group and demanded that future transfers fit with the identity of what he is trying to build.
“The core of the group is still there, even if it’s a bit different, but we have leaders, we have a stronger identity, and when we don’t play like that, we struggle,” he added.
“In this league, you can play a good game and get punished, but if you don’t play with your identity, in the end, you have many regrets.”
Read more: Every Sunderland player now set to leave in the summer: Romaine Mundle and 13-goal striker
Mixture of youth and experience has set Sunderland project on the right track
Sunderland made multiple statements over the summer, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida and Reinildo arriving – all of whom carry vast experience at the top level of European football.
The signing of Xhaka in particular has been transformative, with the 33-year-old taking the armband and leading by example.
And on the opposite side of the coin, the Black Cats have invested heavily in youth, with Noah Sidiki being highly impressive, and what will hopefully be the continued growth of Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra, who both got on the scoresheet in the recent 3-0 win against Burnley.
Add in deadline day signing Nilson Angulo, and you have a fantastic mix of youth and experience – something that could be pivotal for Sunderland in the race for European football.
After the shock promotion at Wembley, the project shifted through the gears at the Stadium of Light, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down just yet.