Sunderland have so far parted ways with six players this summer.
The Black Cats released Jack Diamond, Ellis Taylor, Alex Bass, Bradley Dack and Corry Evans, before sending Nathan Bishop on loan to League One.
Sunderland have only made two signings so far, but are likely to send out a number of their younger players on loan once they have welcomed further additions.
The likes of Nectarios Triantis, Jewison Bennette and Joe Anderson were all sent away last season and are three of a number of players who could look to continue their development away from Wearside.
With Sunderland likely to sign another two or three players to their senior squad, that would leave Regis Le Bris with 30 players to choose from heading into their Championship opener against Cardiff City.
Sunderland could loan out seven players this summer
Journalist Michael Graham has now urged the club to loan out six players and has named seven stars who could potentially make way.
He wrote on X: “Obviously Seelt and Huggins are long-term injuries, and not sure what progression plan they have for Watson. So let’s say there are 27 at the moment. If 3 more come in, I suspect 6 will need to leave on loan. Matete, Anderson, Bennette, Mayenda/Hemir, Triantis, Embleton?”
Who should stay and who should go?
Some of these loan slots fill themselves, with Bennette, Triantis and one of the young strikers undoubtedly on their way out until next summer.
Luis Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda both failed to impress last season, though it was the latter who was sent out to Hibs in January.
Mayenda has caught the eye in pre-season though and perhaps it should be him that is given the opportunity to make his mark from the bench.
Meanwhile, Anderson is another that has been ‘crucial’ in pre-season, despite previously looking so far from the first-team plans.
The defender’s future may depend on whether Sunderland bring in a new centre-back this summer, but his recent performances haven’t gone unnoticed and there would be few complaints if he was used as a back-up to the current crop.
Jay Matete’s chances are surely limited after a number of injuries, but if he can manage another impress loan spell like he did with Plymouth then he may be considered for the senior team next summer.
Elliot Embleton is one player who should really be sold rather than loaned out.
The 25-year-old didn’t look up to Championship football even before he was sidelined for over 18 months, and now he is approaching the final year of his contract.
It would be a huge surprise to see Embleton make an impact this season and an even bigger surprise if he was offered a new deal. He may be an academy product, but it is definitely time to cash in.