As Sunderland make moves in the January transfer window, Don Goodman has looked back at the business conducted over the summer.
The latest transfer rumours surrounding Sunderland are all focused on the seemingly imminent arrival of Enzo Le Fee, and the Frenchman would continue a trend that began back in the summer.
Under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats are flying this season and are firmly involved in the Championship title race as things stand.
And, according to Goodman, Sunderland fans can thank a change in the club’s transfer policy for the success this season.
Sunderland signed older players, and it’s worked wonders
Speaking on the Essential EFL podcast, Goodman identified the impact of players like Chris Mepham and Wilson Isidor this season, and highlighted how these two players went against the previous transfer policy for Sunderland.
He said: “I’m really pleased that in the summer they added a little bit of experience within the ranks. Chris Mepham has been sensational. Alan Browne, though injured, could add something off the pitch.
“Even Wilson Isidor, who’s 24, goes against the previous policy of signing under-21s. It literally was just that, and that was a real worry.”
Still, the Sunderland squad is the youngest in the league right now, with an average age of just 23.2 years across the team, and yet the balance within the squad is clearly far better now.
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Sunderland’s blend of youth and experience is perfect
With talented young stars like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, and the emergence of the likes of Tommy Watson and Eliezer Mayenda this season, Sunderland have exciting players who can change a game in an instant.
However, that raw talent would always need experienced heads to come in and ground them and help them manage games more effectively, and that is definitely starting to happen now.
The Black Cats have developed a real resilience and gritty attitude as the season has gone on, and Sunderland have claimed crucial points from losing positions as a result of that.
If Le Bris can continue to flesh out his squad with more quality, experienced players this month, Sunderland could do something really special this season.