Sunderland’s summer has impressed, but Premier League know-how could still be the missing piece.
There’s plenty to be excited about at Sunderland this summer. Deals for Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée represent an ambitious new chapter under Régis Le Bris, while the imminent arrival of Reinildo Mandava from Atlético Madrid brings a wealth of Champions League and La Liga experience.
These are not players to be sniffed at. They’ve faced the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Marseille – and more than held their own. But amid the excitement, it’s worth highlighting a very real and sobering fact: there are just 22 Premier League appearances across Sunderland’s current squad.
That figure includes the likes of Patrick Roberts, Ian Poveda, Simon Moore, Niall Huggins, and Leo Hjelde. And with the exception of Roberts, it’s difficult to see any of those players playing a meaningful role for Sunderland next season. Most are either likely to leave or sit on the periphery.
This is not a crisis – far from it. The club has done incredibly well this window. The strategy is clear, coherent and consistent with everything Kristjaan Speakman, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and now Florent Ghisolfi have built since 2021. But it does pose a legitimate question about balance. In my opinion, Sunderland would benefit from adding one or two signings who know this league, know what’s required, and know-how to respond when the margins are razor-thin.
Some have pointed out on social media that Premier League experience doesn’t guarantee success. And they’re absolutely right. Jack Rodwell, Joleon Lescott, Danny Graham – Sunderland have seen what happens when you put all your faith in tired legs and big reputations. Nobody is suggesting the Black Cats rip up the model and go back to those days.
But the argument for adding top-flight experience is not about panic or abandoning principle. It’s about realism. When Sunderland were promoted to the Championship, they had players like Danny Batth, Corry Evans, Alex Pritchard, Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts to guide them. They were players who knew the level and could help anchor the group through tough patches.
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