Sunderland told to ‘accept Premier League relegation already’ in shock claim
Sunderland ended their eight-year absence from the Premier League with a Championship play-off final win at Wembley.
The victory secured the club around £220 million over the next few years through TV revenue and, if relegated, parachute payments.
However, staying in the top flight will be a significant challenge – and the Black Cats have a few different routes they can take in this summer’s transfer window.
Key decisions loom as Black Cats prepare for top-flight return
Sunderland are set to decide on their plans in the coming weeks, with multiple approaches being considered.
Speaking to Football Insider (3 June), football finance expert Stefan Borson discussed the various strategies Sunderland could adopt.
“I think it could be very difficult for Sunderland this time around. I think you’re going to have a situation where they obviously try and survive clearly, but probably do that kind of Southampton and Norwich, that type of almost planned strategic yo-yoing for a couple of seasons. That’s what is likely.
“I doubt they’re going to go for a Nottingham Forest, let’s go and spend £200 million and just gamble, and probably breach PSR. I doubt they’re going to do that. Look, it worked for Nottingham Forest, but it’s a very bold move, and it nearly didn’t work, actually. But those are really the two strategies if you’re Sunderland.”
Leeds will be one of Sunderland’s biggest threats next season, with the Yorkshire club in a stronger position, according to Borson.
“They are not in the same position as Leeds. Leeds have already done quite a lot of yo-yoing,” he added. “They are financially just a bigger club than Sunderland right now, so Leeds have got more flexibility and a better starting point in terms of the quality of the squad.
“If they spend another £100-150 million on top of what they’ve got, they give themselves a much better chance of staying up, and there is much less risk of it going wrong from a PSR and relegation perspective. But Sunderland I think are just going to have to be a bit more cautious than that.
“They are just going to have to accept the likelihood of relegation, bank as much money as they can from being in the Premier League, as much money as they can from the parachute payments and try and get back up again.”
Sunderland face challenge as Jode Bellingham heads to Dortmund
Sunderland face a major blow ahead of next season as key player Jobe Bellingham looks set to depart to German side Borussia Dortmund.
The 19-year-old will be a huge loss to the Mackems and a big blow for fans still celebrating promotion.
However, Sunderland’s task of staying in the Premier League just got tougher, losing a key midfield force.
Régis Le Bris will want to act fast to replace Jude Bellingham’s younger brother and fill the midfield gap.
The Black Cats are also exploring other areas of the squad to bring in reinforcements as they fight for survival next season.
It will be a tough campaign, but Sunderland fans can look forward to challenging the best teams in the country every week.