Can Sunderland maintain their strong start? What the data tells us
The Sunderland players who could leave the Premier League club in the next few seasons if their contracts are not renewed.
Sunderland have started this Premier League season superbly, and much of their success so far can be put down to the excellent recruitment that has taken place at the Stadium of Light since they won the Championship play-off final back in May.
The Black Cats, currently sitting in fourth place in the English top-flight, will be hoping to kick on this season and win enough points early in the season that surviving relegation is not more than a formality.
And if this form continues, thoughts will begin to turn towards squad planning over the next few windows, with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus already discussing how plans for the January transfer window have changed due to the club's outstanding form so far this season. One player signed this summer who has started to settle into life in the North East is Bertrand Traore. The Burkina Faso international has started Sunderland’s last four league games and has earned the praise of boss Regis Le Bris.
However, the 30-year-old is one of a few key players whose long-term future is not entirely tied down to the club. Traore only signed a one-year deal in the summer with an option for an additional year. This means that even if the club take up that option, they are still left with a decision to make in the near future about whether to cash in on the midfielder or renew him further.
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Speaking about Traore’s start to life at Sunderland, Le Bris said: “I'm really happy with Bertrand. He's a different character, a different type of player as well.
Mason Mount of Manchester United competes with Bertrand Traore.placeholder image
Mason Mount of Manchester United competes with Bertrand Traore. | Getty Images.
“He didn't connect early with us and struggled a bit during the pre-season because he had an injury. He missed probably two weeks. We were aware that his fitness level wasn't the best when he came here. “Now, he's training really well. He understands the game model, the way we want to play in this position, especially. He's the captain of his national team, so he has a different personality, a different character, and he's improving a lot."
Who else is out of contract soon?
There are a number of players whose contracts are due to expire next summer. This includes Simon Moore, Joe Anderson, Jay Matete, Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil, Blondy Nna Noukeu, Zak Johnson and Harrison Jones. The club will have to make hard decisions on whether or not any of those eight will have a future at the club, and with the ambition of the club growing, it’s hard to see all of them staying for the foreseeable future.
Along with Traore, several players are out of contract in the summer of 2027, and if the club want to make any money by selling them, then they will also have to make a call on their decisions soon. These players are Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo Mandava, Luke O'Nien, Ian Poveda, Aji Alese and Abdoullah Ba.
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