Sunderland are beginning to step up their summer preparations but have big decisions to make before then
With Sunderland's Premier League status all but secured for another season, Florent Ghisolfi can start to ramp up preparations for a hugely important summer.
Ghisolfi addressed the upcoming transfer window in an interview last week, saying the club would try to improve the squad but stressing the importance of stability after last summer's major overhaul. The scope of Sunderland's business will also be in part informed by some key decisions he has to make between now and the end of the season, with three senior players approaching the end of their current deals.
Here, we take a closer look and make some early predictions...
Do Sunderland trigger their option to make Lutsharel Geertruida transfer permanent?
All three of the key decisions Ghisolfi has to make appear obvious at face value, but become more complicated when you scratch beneath the surface. Lutsharel Geertruida's future is a perfect example of that. Signed initially on loan from RB Leipzig, Sunderland have the option to make the transfer permanent for around £20 million this summer. Geertruida has been an important player this season, playing in three different positions and has the ninth most minutes in the squad. His versatility, experience and quality make him an obvious asset and particularly when you consider he wasn't able to get a full pre-season under his belt on Wearside this time around.
However, he's also arguably not at any stage this season been a first-choice player in any one position for Régis Le Bris and though that fee is undoubtedly fair, it would represent a significant outlay when we don't expect Sunderland to have a budget similar at the same level of last summer at this stage. Even if we think his quality and versatility mean Sunderland will ultimately look to push ahead with a deal, they still have to convince Geertruida that his long-term future lies on Wearside. Liverpool's interest in January was a reflection of the level of interest the defender will likely have this summer, and he might well wonder what his route to the starting XI on a more consistent basis is if he does stay. If Sunderland do want to push ahead with the deal, Ghisolfi and Le Bris will no doubt have to ensure Geertruida feels that with a full pre season he has a good chance of forcing his way into the back four from the start more often than he has done this season.
An early prediction: A deal that would make sense for Sunderland as they search for stability and depth across a number of positions. Their biggest challenge if they do proceed may well be in convincing Geertruida to make the move with interest from elsewhere certain.
Do Sunderland agree a new contract with Dennis Cirkin?
Cirkin's departure would leave Sunderland almost certainly in need of a new left back, while to lose him on a free transfer at the same time as Dan Neil would also represent a setback for a club set on operating a sustainable financial model. Cirkin has shown when fit this season that he is good enough to step up to the level, and so a new contract at first glance appears the best solution for all parties.
There's a reason, though, why a decision has been delayed for such an extended period. Sunderland have been keen to see greater consistency from Cirkin, particularly when it comes to his fitness and availability. He has endured another injury-hit campaign including a recent hamstring issue and even if there have been some strong performances along the way, the player himself will be pondering how likely he is to force his way past Reinildo on a consistent basis next season. The next seven games will be important, but there's an argument that the left back is potentially also now behind Trai Hume in the pecking order.
An early prediction: Losing Cirkin would be costly and require Sunderland to reinvest into their defensive unit, but his limited starts this season perhaps suggests that a parting is on the cards.
Do Sunderland trigger their contract option on Bertrand Traoré?
The club's late swoop for Traoré on deadline day last summer proved to be an inspired bit of business, with the winger quickly establishing himself as first choice on the right flank. He brings experience and quality to a young group and made some vital contributions as Sunderland quickly pulled well clear of relegation trouble in the first half of the season. Sunderland have the option to extend his contract for a further year and there's no doubt that fit and on form the winger still has much to offer. The dilemma for Sunderland is that as a more experienced player he will clearly not be an insignificant earner within the squad, and injuries have prevented him playing any significant role since the Wear-Tyne derby win in December. This might well be a decision made by all parties once he is back from his current injury, and when the shape of Sunderland's squad for next season is a little clearer.
An early prediction: That all parties have for the time being delayed this decision reflects the fact that isn't a straightforward one, but if Traoré is fit there's no doubt he has a lot to offer and that he can ease the load on the club's talented but inexperienced wingers.
The other big issues Florent Ghisolfi needs to address in the coming months
Ghisolfi has a number of other key issues to address in the coming months, both on and off the pitch.
Academy director Robin Nicholls will depart for a new opportunity in New York this summer and though his replacement will be a club appointment signed off by the board, the new appointment will work closely with Ghisolfi and so he will almost certainly have an input. Following the departure of Luciano Vulcano earlier this season, it's possible that a new appointment could be made to Le Bris's backroom staff as part of the broader strengthening of the first-team operation.
Most important, clearly, will be working with the new and significantly bolstered scouting and recruiting departments to establish key targets for the summer window. As Sunderland adjust to the new financial rules coming into force, Ghisolfi also has a lot of hard work to do finding new clubs for Sunderland’s fringe players and returning loanees who are unlikely to have a major role in Le Bris's plans next season.
Ghisolfi will also have to prepare for interest in some of Sunderland's best talent, and ensure the club is well placed to respond accordingly. Part of that broader strategy may well be in initiating contract discussions with players in the current squad, who are mostly on long-term deals but who have progressed rapidly in recent months.
Continue Reading