Sunderland secured a exceptional promotion again to the Premier League, however now they face a essential summer season.
Recent from their comeback victory over Sheffield United at Wembley within the Championship play-off closing, consideration turned to how the Black Cats can survive within the Premier League subsequent season.
Matchwinner Tommy Watson has already left to affix Brighton, whereas Jobe Bellingham has been travelling round Germany already to hunt out his subsequent transfer.
Right here, the Sky Sports activities Important EFL podcast panel of Andy Hinchcliffe and Gary Weaver focus on what’s subsequent for the membership…
Resolution time for Sunderland
“It’s incredible what they’ve achieved,” stated Hinchcliffe. “They’ve caught to a philosophy: growing younger expertise, constructing sensibly, and it is introduced them success. However now comes an enormous determination. Do they follow that blueprint, or do they spend large to attempt to keep within the Premier League?
“Groups like Leeds and Burnley have been arguably higher ready. On paper, Sunderland may not stand a lot of an opportunity with their present squad. However they now have that monetary enhance from promotion, which may put them in a powerful place even when they do return down.
“Their summer will be critical. It looks like Bellingham and Tommy Watson are on their way out. So what now? Is it about staying up at all costs, or is it about sticking to what got them there in the first place? I think they’ll stick with most of their philosophy, but maybe add a few experienced players to give themselves a chance of survival.”
Weaver added: “Sunderland will still have significant costs. They’ve got money coming in, sure, but there are also bonuses and add-ons they’ll owe to other clubs for players they’ve already signed.
“Enzo Le Payment will are available completely now, which is nice. He is been sensible. What a transfer that is been, coming from Regis Le Bris texting him in January to ask how he was. 5 months later, he is within the Premier League.
“There’s a lot for Sunderland to do. They’ve probably been planning for this from early on, when they realised they had a real shot at promotion. But the big question is whether they continue with the same strategy. Will they keep developing and selling, or will that change now? We’ll find out soon enough.
“Jordan Henderson’s been linked with a return. He is additionally been linked with Serie A golf equipment. He was at Wembley on Saturday, so which may trace at what Sunderland are considering, possibly mixing it up a bit.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights of the Championship play-off closing between Sheffield United and Sunderland
Bellingham could also be on the transfer… however may Watson be again on mortgage?
“We said last week that Bellingham was probably going to leave either way,” stated Weaver. “I’d heard before the semi-final second leg that it might be his last game at the Stadium of Light.
“We do not know the precise particulars, however possibly this transfer was at all times a part of the plan when he joined Sunderland. He’d have two years, after which transfer on. It is the Bellingham blueprint: go to Germany, push on, then possibly go some other place.
“So I don’t think this comes as a surprise to Sunderland’s hierarchy. In fact, I think the club getting promoted has been a bit of a surprise for them as well.
“They will be up against it in the Premier League. Would Bellingham want to be part of a struggling side? If that’s how it plays out.
“Sunderland have been clear about their technique. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus stated it when he arrived: deliver gamers in younger, develop them and promote them when the time and worth are proper.
“We saw Jack Clarke go at the start of the season when the price and timing were right. Part of that was because Tommy Watson was coming through behind him. Then Brighton came in with an offer for him.
“Might he return on mortgage to Sunderland subsequent season? You by no means know. Luke O’Nien joked he is trying ahead to placing in a couple of tackles on him after they meet within the Premier League.”
Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 stay PL video games from subsequent season
Watch extra Premier League matches on Sky Sports activities ever earlier than with 215 video games stay of the 2025/26 Premier League season
From subsequent season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will improve from 128 matches to at the least 215 video games completely stay.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games subsequent season are on Sky Sports activities.
