Sunderland will look to continue their consolidation in the Premier League this summer.placeholder image
Sunderland will look to continue their consolidation in the Premier League this summer. | AFP via Getty Images
The unseen problem Sunderland may need to fix this summer - and how they could do it.
Sunderland have been one of the greatest success stories in the Premier League this season and have been closer to battling for Europe than against relegation in the first season after their promotion from the Championship.
The Black Cats have seen their form begin to tail off in recent weeks but they are still just a matter of a few points away from ensuring safety with months to spare, so that they can begin to prepare for their second season back in the top flight.
Part of the reason for Sunderland’s outstanding season was their recruitment last summer transfer window. Signing a range of players from across the continent, the North East side signed a mix of youth, such as stand-out performer Noah Sadiki, and experienced pros like captain Granit Xhaka. Their summer will go down as one of the best transfer windows for a newly-promoted club in recent years and sets a clear blueprint for how to stay in the Premier League.
Sunderland have bought well - but one area to strengthen sticks out
While Sunderland’s recruitment across both transfer windows this season has been outstanding, there has been a clear focus on signing attacking talent in hope of firing the club to consolidation back in the top flight.
Five wingers or strikers have been signed by Sunderland this season – seven if you include now-departed duo Simon Adingra and Marc Guiu – and the impact has been clear of signings such as Brian Brobbey and Chemsdine Talbi, who have scored key goals to earn points for Le Bris’ well-drilled side.
It can be argued, though, that less focus has been placed on the centre of defence. The Black Cats brought in Omar Alderete from Getafe in the summer, but there are currently only three specialist centre-backs in their squad. Four including right-back Nordi Mukiele, who has often filled in at the centre of defence, alongside one of Alderete or Dan Ballard. The only back-up option left to Le Bris is Luke O’Nien, who has played limited minutes and might not have a long-term future at this level.
There is scope for saying, therefore, that the centre-back position has been somewhat overlooked by Sunderland amidst their prolific transfer activity this season. If both Ballard and Alderete were to pick up injuries at the same time, they might find themselves in significant bother, and the issue should be made a key one to resolve in the coming summer window.
Serie A star could be the answer to Sunderland issue
Sunderland have seen links with Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi on multiple occasions in recent months and should look to return for the Colombian this summer as uncertainty over his future in Serie A continues to grow.
The Black Cats reportedly lodged a €28 million (£24.5m) bid for the 27-year-old in the summer window but saw it knocked back, with Bologna reluctant to sell another of their key players in the same summer as Dan Ndoye and Sam Beukema. This summer, though, could prove a different story.
Lucumi sees his contract run out in 2027 and if a resolution cannot be reached for an extension, Bologna will know that this summer is their last chance to extract a substantial fee for the defender.
According to recent reports by Sport Witness, Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori suggested there is uncertainty around the future of Lucumi – stating that they have “been talking for months”, and that some contract renewals are progressing more than others. The Colombia international was thought to be keen on a “dream” move to the Premier League last year and if Sunderland were to lodge a suitable bid in the summer, they could ultimately get their man at the second time of asking.
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