Omar Alderete says Sunderland fans deserve Europe as the Black Cats prepare for Chelsea on Sunday
Omar Alderete says Sunderland’s supporters deserve European football more than anyone as the Black Cats prepare for their final-day decider against Chelsea.
Régis Le Bris’ side go into the final weekend of the Premier League season still in contention for Europe after a remarkable first campaign back in the top flight. Sunderland must beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light and hope results elsewhere go their way, with Brentford facing Liverpool and Brighton taking on Manchester United.
Alderete, speaking to Premier League Productions, said the players have been fully aware of the permutations in training this week, but stressed that Sunderland’s first job is to take care of their own result. “We’ve talked about the permutations and what results need to go right for us this week in training,” Alderete said. “But winning is super important first - and if we do, I think we’ll get into Europe.”
Sunderland have already gone far beyond the expectations many had for them at the start of the season. Having won promotion from the Championship via the play-offs, the Black Cats have not only secured survival but entered the final day with the chance to qualify for Europe. “To come up from the Championship to the Premier League and fight for Europe all within a year isn’t easy,” Alderete said. “But it reflects all the hard work we’ve done, and a lot of us believe we could even be higher than we are now!”
The defender also reserved special praise for Sunderland’s fanbase, particularly the away support, after a season in which the club’s backing has again been a major feature of the campaign. Sunderland supporters have followed the team from League One to the Premier League over recent years, and Alderete said they would be the people most deserving of a European reward if Le Bris’ side can complete the job.
“They’ve supported us from the beginning - from League One, all the way to the Premier League,” Alderete said. “They’re the ones that deserve it the most. I always think how incredible the away support is, especially. They’re always there, so the amount of effort they put in, they deserve to be in Europe.”
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