Kristjaan Speakman addressed the media yesterday as he plans for Sunderland’s summer transfer business.
Sunderland have been fairly quiet so far, having brought in a solo arrival in Simon Moore.
The club had prioritised bringing in a new head coach since the season ended, with their search finally coming to an end a couple of weeks ago.
Regis Le Bris‘ arrival should now kickstart Speakman’s hunt for new players, with increasing pressure on him to get it right this time.
The 45-year-old came under heavy criticism when he sold the likes of Danny Batth and Lynden Gooch, as well as only signing inexperienced strikers to bolster the frontline.
There is an expectation upon him to invest in more experience this time round, while Le Bris has already confirmed they will be looking at ‘one or two’ Championship proven players.
- READ MORE: Phil Smith explains why Regis Le Bris may have longer at Sunderland than Neil and Mowbray
Kristjaan Speakman wants to replace Dack and Evans
Speakman has now had his say on his recruitment players, admitting that he will prioritise ‘quality’ and ‘positive profiles’.
Speaking to the media (as per The Northern Echo), he said: “We’ve identified several spots that we think we’d like to improve, and I’ve always said it’s around quality, and I think quality is the most important thing, but it’s also around the balance and the ecosystem of the squad and the environment.”
He added: “We have lost a Dack and we have lost an Evans over the summer, so we’ve always had those types of profiles in the squad.
“So, if we can find positive profiles in the squad like those, then we’ll always try to recruit.
“I think throughout our time here, we’ve signed players of a variety of ages, and players have had different impacts on the team and different impacts on performances.
“Last season, we might have signed another older player, but at the time, that deal didn’t come off, and the next best option for us was a different player at a different age, so it’s not something that we’re putting a quota on, we’re just interested in getting the right profiles in the right positions, but most of all, it has to be the right quality.”
Sunderland need experience all over the pitch
Speakman isn’t giving too much away, but the mention of Bradley Dack and Corry Evans would surely suggest he will be looking to bring in players of their experience.
The club have already been linked with Oliver Norwood, so fans will be under the impression that they could look to bring in a veteran midfielder who could potentially play alongside Dan Neil and Chris Rigg.
Fans’ main priority will be the signing of a proven goalscorer though, because their reliance on young strikers has gone on for far too long now.
Speakman is keeping his cards close to his chest, but hopefully that isn’t because he knows he is just going to go against everyone’s wishes once again.