Sunderland Head Coach Régis Le Bris has suggested that the business done by the club in the summer transfer window will be determined by where Sunderland finish in the Premier League table.
When asked by North East Football TV, Le Bris initially outlined that it was “a bit early” to talk about the upcoming summer window, but then made clear that “the club wants to grow”.
Le Bris added that “the final result in the league we don’t know, but it’s about the next game, do your best, try to win, after that we’ll have another one, another exciting challenge, and so on, and we’ll see at the end of the season.”
Whilst not an explicit admittance, Le Bris’ words convey that if Sunderland were to be playing in an extra competition next season, their summer business would be conducted with that in mind. Furthermore, it would appear that the club view qualification for another competition, say it quietly, a European one, as a distinct possibility given how the table lies at present.
“It’s not the end of the cycle”, Le Bris said, referring to the summer window, and for Sunderland, it will instead be a chance to expand their squad further in terms of depth and quality, especially if they have more games to contend with.
Whilst supporters of Sunderland will relish the chance to see their club attack the transfer window because of the need to improve to compete in Europe as well as domestically, those ambitions should be tempered with some caution.
Sunderland are certainly not guaranteed to qualify for a continental competition, with other teams around them also harbouring the same ambitions. As a result, should the Black Cats only have domestic football to look forward to next season, their transfer policy will be different.
To that end, Le Bris revealed that another key factor in influencing the club’s summer business, which will gain more prominence without Europe, will be taking into account some of the injuries suffered this season.
“Every game, every part of the season is useful for the next transfer window, how we want to build the squad.”
During this campaign, Sunderland have endured prolonged periods without some of their key players. Forward Brian Brobbey, midfielders Granit Xhaka and Habib Diarra, defenders Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo Mandava and Dan Ballard, as well as goalkeeper Robin Roefs, have all spent time on the sidelines because of injury.
When those players were missing, Le Bris’ side was undoubtedly weaker, which was showcased by some of their performances and results. Therefore, even without Europe, Sunderland must strengthen those areas, especially given the fact that those below those aforementioned players in the pecking order are clearly not fancied by Le Bris.
Sunderland navigated the summer transfer window well last summer, and even though Kristjaan Speakman is no longer at the club, with Florent Ghisolfi now pulling the strings as Director of Football alongside Le Bris, the Head Coach said that despite the market being unpredictable, “the strategy is clear”.
The end to the season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Sunderland, beginning with the visit of a struggling Tottenham side to the Stadium of Light. There is clearly ambition, and a plan for if Sunderland do qualify for Europe in terms of incomings, supporters will certainly be appeased at the club being ready for the market regardless of the situation.
