Sunderland ‘not the same as Leeds’ as heavy transfer spend set for Premier League
Sunderland are gearing up for the exciting prospect of a first campaign in the Premier League since 2017 as they prepare for next season.
The Black Cats have an exciting young squad that was excellent under Regis Le Bris last term, but the Premier League is a totally different animal now compared to their last stint in the top flight.
All six of the most recent teams to be promoted from the Championship have suffered an immediate relegation back to the second tier.
Sunderland are already lining up potential transfer deals to improve the squad, with the likes of Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga having been linked with a switch to the North East.
Paul Dickov believes Sunderland ‘lack the quality’ to stay up
The task facing the Mackems next season has already been made significantly harder, before their summer window has even really begun.
Sunderland have reluctantly sold Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, meaning they will already be without one of their most influential figures from last term.
The sale of the 19-year-old has at least drawn in plenty of cash to be spent on reinforcements elsewhere in the squad, and the Wearsiders will have to use it sensibly if they are to compete to avoid the drop.
Former Manchester City hero Paul Dickov believes Sunderland do not have the quality within their ranks to survive at present.
The former frontman expressed his optimism over Leeds’ survival chances, but he didn’t share that same optimism about the Black Cats’ hopes.
“Sunderland and Burnley, it might be a bit different,” the Scotsman told BestBettingSites (10 June).
“Sunderland might lack the quality, and they have a young squad. They need to spend a lot of money to change things around.”
Home form could make the difference for Sunderland
Sunderland’s eight-year stint away from the Premier League should not overshadow the fact that they are a true giant of English football.
A trip to the Stadium of Light can be a daunting proposition for opposition players, and Sunderland will need that to be the case next term.
They had the Championship’s sixth-best home record during their promotion year, and a similarly strong points return on home turf will be equally crucial if they are to survive in the top flight.
The Black Cats boasted the second tier’s biggest crowds last season, having been backed by over 40,000 Mackems each week on average.
If they can produce a similarly formidable atmosphere next year, then it could provide Le Bris’ men with the boost they need to consolidate their spot at the top table of English football.
It’s time to prove everybody wrong.