Sunderland are set for a busy summer as the club’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed Saturday. And here are five things that must happen if they are to make a quick return to England’s top League.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
The Black Cats have endured a miserable season, and their drop from England’s top tier was been on the cards for a while. Sunderland’s supporters will be keen to put this season behind them, and will be intrigued to see what the club’s strategy is in taking their side forward – and ultimately, back to the Premier League.
Here’s 5 things we think the club will be considering:
Cash in on Jordan Pickford
Despite Sunderland’s precarious position in the League, it has been a season of personal triumph for Pickford, who has been done his reputation no harm. The 23-year-old’s impressive performances and consistency led to him being shortlisted as one of six players in the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
As well as being a mainstay in the first team, the academy product earned his first call-up to the senior England side in October. His market value has soared since breaking into the Black Cats first team. Sunderland should use this to their advantage and cash in for as much money as possible, so the club can invest the money straight back into the squad.
Jordan Pickford has been with the club since the age of eight
Utilise the Academy
Relegation to the Championship will force the club to look closer to home in a bid to mould their squad into one capable of a promotion push. There will be likely a mass exodus among current first team players in the summer, so the Black Cats will need to take advantage of their academy system to make up first team numbers.
The likes of Duncan Watmore, Lynden Gooch and George Honeyman have all made the step up to first team football and will likely be a part of their long term plans. Joel Asoro, Ethan Robson and Josh Maja are players in the U23s squad who are held in high regard and could also join them in the first team.
Stick with David Moyes… for now
It is fair to say that Sunderland manager David Moyes has not won many admirers among Black Cats supporters since taking over last summer.
Moyes, however, still believes he is the man to bring the good times back to the Stadium of Light. When asked if he would leave the club in relation to chants of “We want Moyesy out”, the 54-year-old simple told BBC Sport: “No, I’m here, I’m the manager, you take it on the chin.”
Moyes has been caught in the cross-fire and will inevitably be used as the fall guy for their shortcomings. He will be determined to rebuild his tarnished reputation – and what better way than to guide Sunderland back to the Premier League?
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Restart… Rebuild
A complete squad overhaul would often be considered as a dramatic reaction to relegation and is often frowned upon, but in Sunderland’s case it is justified.
When you look back on their season, there has been a distinct lack of leadership and quality on the pitch.
Spend big on a proven Championship striker
Sunderland have scored less than 30 goals in the League so far this season, with around half of them being provided by Jermain Defoe. The club’s relegation will probably result in his exit from the Stadium of Light in the summer. His departure will leave a distinct lack of goals in the Sunderland team and he will need to be replaced.
Sunderland will likely take advantage of the first year of parachute payments to reinvest in their team – in particular a striker with a proven goals record in England’s second tier. Options will be at a premium, so they must be prepared to put up the money.
Sunderland’s top goalscorer Jermain Defoe is all but confirmed to depart in the summer
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