Speakman confirms more new Sunderland signings to come after one done deal
Kristjaan Speakman has claimed that Sunderland will stick to their values in the summer window as they look to prepare for the Premier League.
The Black Cats beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final last month, ending an eight-year wait for a return to England’s top flight.
And transfer business has already begun, with Sunderland announcing yesterday that Enzo Le Fee would join the club permanently from AS Roma following a successful loan spell.
Sunderland have to ‘tweak the needle a little bit’
While Le Fee’s signing does provide confidence, the unclear future of Jobe Bellingham, amid interest from Borussia Dortmund, may see Sunderland’s squad plans take an early hit.
But transfer chiefs at the Stadium of Light are determined to stick to the principles that saw them rise from League One to the Premier League in just three years.
Speaking to the Northern Echo, sporting director Speakman said: “We’re looking to improve and build a team that is capable of staying in the Premier League, I think the objective is fairly clear.
“Everyone will point to the statistics as to how difficult it is to stay in the Premier League and we’re fully aware of that, we’re not naive.”
For two consecutive seasons, all three newly promoted clubs in England’s top division have gone straight back down.
It’s simply not enough to just rely on strong home form anymore – clubs new to the Premier League must arrive with fresh ideas and the ability to shake things up.
Sunderland won’t want to abandon their methods, but Speakman does accept a slight shift in transfer strategy may be required.
“We’re acutely aware of that, we want to retain our principles and values, but sometimes, of course, you have to tweak the needle a little bit. You have to fully understand the environment you’re going into.”
Jordan Henderson is one name linked with a move to the North East, in what would be a return to the club that gave him his start in professional football.
The 34-year-old would come with bags of Premier League experience, and add a measured head to a youthful dressing room.
Speakman is not only focused on new arrivals, however.
“We feel we’ve got loads of talented players and it’s on them to come back for pre-season in the best condition possible to be able to play Premier League football, and our challenge is to then build the right balance from there.
“We’ll obviously be signing new players into the team, to ensure we have a Premier League team that can be competitive.”
Sunderland cannot risk 2017 repeat
Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship in 2017 set the club on a devastating spiral.
The following season saw them immediately relegated to League One – a fate Luton Town have also just experienced.
And with ownership uncertainty rife, the club stagnated in England’s third division.
Four years were spent in League One, before 2022 saw them finally escape via the play-offs.
Thankfully, stability looks to have returned to the Stadium of Light – majority shareholder Kyril Louis-Deyfrus is committed, and manager Regis Le Bris has won fans’ confidence.
But all focus must now shift to the Premier League-sized challenge looming in front, with safety the outright goal.