I’ve seen rumblings of frustration on social media recently regarding Sunderland’s lack of incomings so far in this transfer window, but is it justified?
To put it bluntly, no, in my opinion. The lads are due back in for pre – season training on Wednesday, with seven weeks and a full pre – season schedule between now and the start of the Premier League season. Last season aside, Sunderland under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have not been fast starters in the transfer window, preferring to wait for the right
opportunities and possibly even surveying the early business done by other clubs.
Sunderland aren’t in danger of being left behind, and we needn’t panic because we haven’t signed any players by the early days of July. Any potential free agent signings have only been out of contract for a matter of days, players are still on holiday, and most vitally, a lot of players are still in action at the World Cup, with many focusing on their national sides before entertaining any thoughts of transfers.
If Sunderland are still yet to sign someone by the eve of the new season, by all means be discontented, but that won’t happen. We will make signings, we will miss out on players, others will leave, and most importantly, Florent Ghisolfi will have Sunderland in a position to compete in every competition by the time the transfer window closes. The ownership and recruitment team have done enough to earn that trust, I’m sure we can all agree.
Despite being quick out the blocks last year, this summer is very much about quality over quantity. We do need to bolster the squad, but I very much doubt our incomings will be in double figures. In my opinion, we need another 6 / 7 at most, with 2 – 4 improving the starting line – up, and the rest providing quality back-up and rotation for European competition. The foundations built last year are strong, and as we’ve seen with Granit Xhaka, Sunderland won’t be rolling over to interest in their stars.
Every summer fans look around the league and see rivals announcing players. That’s natural, but transfer windows aren’t won in June. Plenty of clubs have spent heavily and recruited quickly only to struggle once the football starts, Sunderland among them many times, the 2013 / 14 summer under Di Canio a prime example.
Naturally, social media is not a true barometer and amplifies anxiety and negativity. Every signing another club makes can be made into making Sunderland look worse off, every rumour has the potential to become a crisis if a signing doesn’t come off. The reality inside the club will be much calmer. After all, our rise to where we are now was built on long-term planning, and sticking to a clear strategy.
The only true assessment of a transfer window can only be done when it closes. What matters is the strength of Le Bris’s squad on 23rd August, not 5th or 6th July. Sunderland have very quickly risen from League One to European football, and there is very little reason to believe the people in charge have suddenly forgotten what they’re doing.
As always under this ownership and management, Sunderland will be fine. We’re in good hands and I have no doubt the squad will be stronger by the time the window closes.
