Sunderland must look to strengthen these three key areas ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Compared to last season, Sunderland have had a successful campaign, and much of that comes to the vast improvements surrounding recruitment.
Ahead of the 2023/24 season, it was clear that building for the future was prioritised, and this clearly came with its shortcomings as Sunderland’s widely inexperienced side were unable to deal with various mental and physical blocks, which in turn led to a disappointing 16th placed finish for the side.
Sunderland’s Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, clearly learned from those errors as he brought in a fine blend of youth and experience before the 2024/25 campaign, as Chris Mepham and Alan Browne notably came through the doors, on top of the likes of Milan Aleksic, Ahmed Abdullahi and Wilson Isidor, a set of players who fit more with last season’s approach.
Despite the various successes in recruitment, there are still three areas of concern for Speakman, all of which must be solved in the upcoming summer period.
Sunderland must prioritise right-back signing amid lack of depth
Looking across Sunderland’s usual starting side, there isn’t a prominent weakness, much to Speakman’s satisfaction, however, depth in certain areas looks to be an issue in some cases, one of which being at right-back.
Trai Hume has been an outstanding right-back option, however, options behind him are light, with Luke O’Nien able to do a job there, but it is clear that Le Bris values him as a centre-back.
Beyond Hume and O’Nien, options are near non-existent in the first-team, and a signing here, as a backup to the Northern Irish international, would certainly be beneficial.
Kristjaan Speakman must sanction right winger deal for next season
Another area that Sunderland are rather light is on the right flank, currently occupied by Patrick Roberts, with Ian Poveda being brought in this season as a back-up.
Unfortunately, time has told that Poveda’s colourful injury record can not be relied upon to deem him as a consistent backup option, meaning that Sunderland will have to sanction a deal to bring in an extra man in this area.
Whilst there is no doubting Poveda’s ability, having shown minor glimpses in his incredibly limited game time, Sunderland must ensure that they have a non-injury-prone player as backup next season, without having to resort to sticking Chris Rigg or anyone else out of position.
Regis Le Bris would benefit from extra striker options
This January, Speakman sanctioned a deal for an extra attacker in order to provide extra competition to the in-form Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda, but unfortunately, Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns has had injury complications and is yet to be seen notching the famous red & white of Wearside.
It is clear that Speakman prioritised a striker signing in January, and he will no doubt follow suit in the summer window in order to give Le Bris an extra option to choose from up top.