James Copley’s latest Sunderland notebook includes transfer plans, Chelsea tunnel drama and behind-the-scenes insight
Every now and then, it is worth pulling together a few smaller bits of Sunderland information that do not necessarily sit neatly as full stories on their own, but still offer a useful look behind the curtain.
This is the fifth edition of my Sunderland notebook and, as ever, the idea is fairly simple: a few things I have picked up, a bit of context around the club and some of the people whose work is not always seen publicly.
Sunderland punching above their weight behind the scenes
One thing worth stressing is that Sunderland have been punching above their weight this season, not just on the pitch but in terms of staffing levels behind the scenes. The club have obviously strengthened since winning promotion from the Championship. They had to. Quality and quantity were both needed after returning to the Premier League, and Sunderland have some excellent people working across the football operation.
However, in terms of raw numbers, they are still some way behind the biggest clubs in the country. I was told recently, for example, that Manchester United have in excess of eight senior analysts. Sunderland employs significantly fewer than that as things stand, yet have still managed to compete at Premier League level and produce one of the stories of the season. That is a real testament to the work being done at the Academy of Light by those individuals and the wider staff around Régis Le Bris.
Sunderland are also looking to strengthen in that area. The club are currently advertising for another senior analyst on LinkedIn, and it would be no surprise to see more staff added to the Academy of Light operation as time goes on. It is the same in other areas, too. I was also told that Sunderland’s three kit men were dwarfed by their Manchester United counterparts to the tune of roughly four to one. That is not a complaint, or an excuse, just an interesting bit of context around the scale of what Sunderland are up against at this level.
The Premier League is not only a step up on the pitch. It is a step up in infrastructure, staffing, analysis, logistics and expectation. Sunderland have made significant progress, but they are still building in many areas while competing against clubs that have operated at this level, with this level of resource, for years. That is what makes the work done this season all the more impressive.
Graeme Murty’s emotion after cup final loss
Graeme Murty has been a superb representative for Sunderland, and that was clear again after the under-21s’ Premier League Cup final defeat to Burnley at the Stadium of Light. I have interviewed Murty plenty of times over the last couple of years, and he is probably one of my favourite people to speak to in football. He is always honest, articulate and thoughtful, but what really stands out is how much he cares about his players.
You see it time and time again. He has a real ability to push them, demand more and make clear what the standards are, while never forgetting that most of them are still teenagers trying to make their way in the game. That balance is not always easy, but Murty seems to understand it extremely well.
Nobody I speak to ever has a bad word to say about him, and he has done a fantastic job at Sunderland, both in terms of results and player development. Sunderland have reached two finals in three seasons under him, which is a serious achievement, but just as important is the work done in preparing players for senior football, loans and first-team exposure.
Murty desperately wanted to win that Premier League Cup final. Sunderland created enough chances against Burnley and were left feeling, in his own words, as though football had “kicked them in the stomach.” After the cameras and dictaphones were turned off, he looked at us reporters and quipped: “God, I hate football sometimes!”
It was said with a smile, but you could tell there was plenty of truth behind it. He was gutted for himself, of course, but more than anything, he was gutted for his players. Regardless of that result, Murty has done amazingly well for Sunderland and remains a hugely important figure in the club’s academy structure.
Does Europe change Sunderland’s transfer thinking?
One obvious question after Sunderland’s Europa League qualification is whether it changes the club’s transfer plans. In theory, it could. A European campaign means more games, more travel, more strain on the squad and, inevitably, a need for greater depth. It may also strengthen Sunderland’s hand in some conversations, both with potential signings and with players already at the club.
Could it make Sunderland keener to keep hold of Lutsharel Geertruida? Very possibly. The Dutch international’s versatility across the back line and in midfield would be hugely valuable in a season where Sunderland are balancing Premier League and European commitments.
Does it mean Luke O’Nien will now stay, with more games to play and his role in the group as important as ever? Definitely. O’Nien made that clear himself after the Chelsea game, insisting he had no intention of leaving and speaking openly about his excitement at the prospect of playing European football with Sunderland. But it will not change every decision.
I’m told Europa League qualification does not alter the plan for Anthony Patterson, who is keen to find a new permanent home this summer. The goalkeeper still expects to leave as he looks for regular first-team football after falling down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light. I’m also told Europe will not change Sunderland’s decision to allow Harrison Jones to move on. Jones remains highly regarded inside the club but needs to play regular games.
Matty Young is also still expected to head out on loan again next season after suffering play-off final heartbreak with Salford City. Sunderland rate the young goalkeeper highly, but another full season of senior football is viewed as the best next step in his development. Elsewhere, Dan Neil is still expected to leave, while the direction of travel also appears to suggest Dennis Cirkin will follow the same route unless there is a late U-turn.
So while Europe may sharpen Sunderland’s thinking in some areas, particularly around depth and versatility, it does not mean every existing plan is suddenly ripped up. Some decisions have been shaped over a longer period, and those remain in place even after one of the most remarkable weeks in the club’s modern history.
Simon Moore’s influence should not be underestimated
Another name that keeps coming up in conversations around Sunderland is Simon Moore. His contribution is not always publicised, and it is easy to focus purely on the players who are on the pitch every week, but I have not heard a bad word said about him. Sunderland have triggered the one-year option in Moore’s deal, meaning he will remain around the group next season.
Moore is doing his coaching badges, and everyone you speak to at the club seems to rave about his influence. Robin Roefs has told me more than once after games that Moore was instrumental in helping him settle in the North East after his move from the Netherlands. That has obviously gone on to benefit Sunderland massively, because Roefs has been one of the standout players of the season and one of the major reasons the Black Cats have been so competitive.
Not every contribution makes headlines, but Moore’s experience, input and hard work within a young goalkeeping group at the Academy of Light has not gone unnoticed by senior figures at Sunderland. Football clubs need those characters. Players who understand their role, help others, set standards and contribute even when they are not necessarily playing every week. Moore appears to have done exactly that, and his value to the group should not be underestimated.
Chelsea tunnel drama offers glimpse into Sunderland mentality
There was also a bit of drama behind the scenes at half-time during Sunderland’s win over Chelsea. I’m told Chelsea’s players were furious with Nordi Mukiele after a tackle close to the interval, with some minor handbags in the tunnel as the visitors tried to make their point.
Reece James was apparently heavily involved and very vocal during the break, but it did not seem to bother Sunderland in the slightest. They cracked on, stayed focused and went on to win the game on what was ultimately a terrible afternoon for Chelsea. It was only a small incident in the wider context of the match, but it perhaps offered a little glimpse into the mentality of the two groups.
Chelsea, of course, have an enormously talented squad packed with expensive players and Club World Cup-winning pedigree. Man for man, they have players Sunderland simply could not have dreamed of signing not so long ago. But Sunderland have excelled all season in areas that do not always show up on a spreadsheet: togetherness, resilience, clarity, character and an ability to stay calm in big moments. That was the case again against Chelsea. While the visitors were frustrated, Sunderland kept their heads and finished the job. In many ways, it summed up why this season has been so special for us and so bad for them.
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