The Black Cats are showing how to handle the Premier League after promotion
Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland celebrates scoring their first goal against Wolves
Nordi Mukiele celebrates scoring Sunderland's first goal against Wolves(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
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Ex-Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood believes it’s a good thing for the Premier League that the likes of Sunderland and Leeds United have a genuine chance to stay up this season.
The Sky Sports pundit reckons it’s “refreshing” to see the promoted clubs winning points and looking like they will have a good chance of staying at the elite level.
In each of the past two top flight seasons, all three promoted clubs have suffered an immediate relegation back to the Championship.
But none of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley are in the bottom three after eight matches as Wolves, West Ham and Nottingham Forest struggle.
Of that trio, the Black Cats are sitting seventh in the table having taken 14 points thus far. That tally represents their best start to a top flight season in 56 years, albeit with some easier fixtures than Leeds and Burnley.
Sunderland are leading by example and giving hope to clubs that they can come up and stay up, although there is a long way to go yet.
Reflecting on Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley’s respective start to the seasons during an appearance on Sky Sports News, Sherwood said: “Listen, it’s really encouraging to see. I think the last thing we want to see is yo-yo teams coming in and out of the league... the parachute money, there’s a lot being said about that.
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“I think it’s really encouraging, I really do. It gives hope for the fans out there of other teams to be able to achieve and come to the promised land, which is the Premier League. Not only that, if they see that the teams that go up don’t drop, it looks like this season they’re making a real fist of it.”
Sherwood, who captained Blackburn to the Premier League title in 1995, added: “I’m not saying all of them will stay up, but I would say two out of the three possibly will. I know you [Sunderland-supporting host Tom White] are looking at me there to push me and say, ‘Please say Sunderland’, but I’m the worst tipper ever, so I won’t say it for you.
“It is encouraging, it really is. I think it’s refreshing for the game, I really do. I think in the Premier League... because the last two seasons the teams that came up went down, I think the Wolves in this world, the West Hams and a few other teams, they saved their money, kept their powder dry, but now in January there will be a mass rush to spend. They have to spend that, there will be panic stations.
“Those clubs will be thinking ‘Hold on a minute, Sunderland and Burnley, the teams that have come up, they’re not that bad. In fact, they’re actually very good, so we’re going to struggle to stay in this division, so we need to spend some money’.
"They still will have headroom to spend, whereas the teams that have got promoted perhaps won’t. They’ll probably be at their max now with the PSR, but it really is encouraging, it’s great for the fans to see.”
Liverpool want ex-Sunderland loanee
Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Bournemouth’s ex-Sunderland forward Antoine Semenyo.
Ahead of the January transfer window, the i Paper has reported that the 25-year-old Ghana international has attracted interest from Anfield following a strong start to the season with the Cherries.
TalkSPORT claims that Bournemouth inserted a release clause into Semenyo’s contract when he signed a five-year extension earlier this year. Although the figure remains undisclosed, the south coast club are understood to value their in-form winger at more than £75million.
Antoine Semenyo of Sunderland
Antoine Semenyo during his time at Sunderland(Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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Semenyo, who previously spent time on loan at Sunderland, has been a revelation at the club and is a massive fans’ favourite.
He has so far scored 13 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions last term as Bournemouth matched their best-ever Premier League finish of ninth. His electric start to the new campaign has once again put him on the radar of England’s top clubs – setting up what could be one of the stories of the January window.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have offered a trial to Lincoln Brook, a promising youngster from non-league side Newcastle Blue Star.
The U15s player has been handed an eight-week opportunity with the Black Cats after impressing with his performances and versatility at youth level. Blue Star praised Brook’s progress and attitude in a social media post, describing the trial as a deserved reward for his development.