Recent interest from Premier League clubs for one Sunderland man could be the source of key issues in Wearside.
Sunderland have managed an emphatic start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign, which sees them lead the way by five points at this early stage.
A recent win against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light embodied everything brilliant by this current Regis Le Bris side, from the successes of Romaine Mundle filling the boots of the departed Jack Clarke, to the success of Wilson Isidor filling the striker void that has felt vacated ever since Ross Stewart left.
The Black Cats were almost underestimated at the start of the campaign due to the fact that Clarke had moved on, however Mundle has taken everyone by surprise in the way he has managed to replicate the now Premier League winger.
However, there may be a developing transfer issue at Sunderland that may not be as easy to solve for Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman, and it could potentially uncover a major problem.
- READ MORE: Jordan Henderson sent Sunderland return plea as recent Regis Le Bris conversation revealed
Potential Dan Ballard Premier League interest could spark squad depth issue for Sunderland
Many of Sunderland’s players have drummed up interest so far this season after their prolific form, one of which being Chris Rigg.
Now, defender Dan Ballard has been touted as a potential option for both Wolves and Ipswich Town, with a £10million price-tag being slapped on the centre-back, per the Sunday Mirror (p67 on 27th October).
At this moment, Ballard is currently out injured, with Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien standing in as solid centre-back options, however if another defensive option was ruled out, then the depth would be more than scarce.
Kristjaan Speakman must retain prized assets after bright start to season
Sunderland are more than certainly in a push for promotion this season, and their bright start has seen them overturn many teams with ease.
The signs are all pointing towards Le Bris’ side being a force to be reckoned with and there are no signs of this faltering at this early stage, and as a result there needs to be serious consideration over current players’ future as a result.
If a £10million bid came in during the 2023/24 campaign, it would be understandable for that to be accepted, or at the very least considered as a result of the poor season that was as good as written off by that point, but in this case, there needs to be an extra emphasis on Sunderland retaining all of their prized assets, with Ballard being one of them.