Sunderland’s chances of a potential striker signing before their Championship opener vs Cardiff City have been rated.
Sunderland kick off their 2024/25 Championship season with a trip to Cardiff City this weekend.
The Black Cats begin life under new head coach Regis Le Bris after what’s been a fairly mixed summer transfer window and pre-season for the club.
Last time out, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Marseille in what was perhaps one of their more impressive pre-season results, with goals coming from Dennis Cirkin and Adil Aouchiche.
In the transfer market, Kristjaan Speakman has overseen four new signings, with Sunderland signing Blondy Nna Noukeu most recently.
But in the club’s striker search, Speakman has so far fallen short, with no new strikers having arrived at the Stadium of Light as of yet.
Right now, Sunderland are trying to sign Ike Ugbo from Troyes, and it appears that the Black Cats remain interested in Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
Mendy released a statement on his future recently, outlining his desire to leave the Ligue 2 club before the summer transfer window shuts on August 30th.
Michael Graham discusses Sunderland striker search ahead of Cardiff City
Speaking ahead of the Cardiff City clash this weekend, journalist Michael Graham was asked whether or not he can foresee Sunderland signing a new striker before the trip to Wales.
Graham says he ‘can definitely see’ Sunderland and Speakman recruiting a new striker before then.
However, Graham doesn’t necessarily expect the Black Cats to land a much-needed new striker before the game at Cardiff.
Graham posted on X:
Who will start up front for Sunderland at Cardiff City
The chances of a new striker arriving on Wearside in the coming days seem slim.
And the chances of a new striker arriving and being fit to feature against Cardiff City seem even slimmer.
So for Le Bris, thoughts will be on his starting XI and who starts up top, which could be a pressing team selection issue for as long as Speakman doesn’t get a new striker in.
Le Bris has tried and tested a few options out in pre-season. Though youngster Eliezer Mayenda appears to have played as the lone striker more often than others.
It could be a risk starting the 19-year-old vs Cardiff given his lack of Championship experience.
But needs must for Sunderland and Le Bris who remain in desperate need of a proven striker; either proven in the Championship or proven elsewhere.
Speakman simply cannot go another transfer window without addressing this issue.