View: Sunderland could destroy connection with fanbase if they sell in January
Sunderland’s hierarchy would lose a lot of credit if they opt to sell any key players in the upcoming transfer window.
Everyone involved with the Black Cats will struggle to be anything other than delighted with how the club has transformed over recent years from League One fodder to genuine Championship title contenders.
The turnaround of the club has been remarkable and it has reignited the passion I have, as well as many others, for simply supporting the club.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman both deserve an astounding amount of credit for how they have achieved that.
Simply comparing the current squad to one from a few years ago just showcases the amount of progress made in a relatively short time.
Very few people outside of Wearside will have any true understanding as to what has happened at the club since relegation from the Premier League. The word ‘entitled’ often gets fired at Mackems and it is so far off the mark, in my opinion.
Sunderland fans don’t ask for much. A squad of players willing to fight for the badge and a hierarchy with clear ambitions are the two key components of a content fanbase.
Thankfully, the Black Cats seem to have both of that now but the January transfer window looks set to have a huge influence on whether that connection grows or weakens.
Sunderland must show ambition in January transfer window
The Black Cats are in an excellent position despite a recent run of winless fixtures. A win against Sheffield United on Friday (29 November) will send them back to the summit of the Championship.
The January transfer window will play a massive role as to whether they can maintain that level of competitiveness or simply start to filter away.
An opportunity to strengthen must be taken but moreover, players cannot be sold no matter what. The connection with the fanbase may hang on that.
Jobe Bellingham has been linked with Dortmund. Chris Rigg to Manchester United. Dennis Cirkin to Leeds United.
They are just some of the rumoured exit links surrounding the Black Cats, with some relatively big fees mentioned. One thing for sure is that Sunderland mustn’t sell any of them.
If the Wearsiders want promotion and to showcase their true ambition going forward, any offers can’t be entertained.
I dread to imagine the reaction to a Sunderland statement confirming the £20million sale of Jobe to Dortmund. It would be toxic, and rightfully so.
Ambition is shown by your willingness to keep your best players and improve where possible, and if Sunderland don’t achieve that in January, I fear the lack of trust that will ensue between the hierarchy and the supporters.
In other Sunderland news, Don Goodman has shared his verdict on Jobe Bellingham’s potential exit.
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