Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman have spent a lot of time putting together what is a very exciting squad. But it could be broken up next summer if promotion isn’t earned.
Sunderland arguably have a first-team squad worth in excess of £100million right now, with names like Trai Hume, Anthony Patterson, Chris Rigg and more worth at least £20million, per reports.
It’s a huge credit to sporting director Kristjaan Speakman who’s put the team together for very little.
This season under Regis Le Bris, we’re seeing the rewards of all of Sunderland’s hard work over the past several years, with the Black Cats currently in 1st place of the Championship table.
Sunderland beat Oxford United 2-0 on Saturday to complete a nine-point week, with star performances from several players.
One such performer was Jobe Bellingham; the 19-year-old headed home the opening goal of the game, having now scored twice in his opening 12 league appearances of the campaign.
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Phil Smith discusses Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland future
Bellingham has certainly been in fine form this season, following his overall impressive maiden campaign last time round.
Crystal Palace and Spurs were linked with Bellingham during the summer transfer window. A £20million price tag was thrown around before Bellingham signed a new Sunderland contract.
Speaking on The Roar, journalist Phil Smith ‘increasingly’ thinks that Sunderland have to earn promotion this season, in order to keep Bellingham next season.
Smith said: “The penny has dropped, where you’re now like ‘yeah, this kid’s going to play in the Champions League, this kid’s going to get international caps’.
“Might be a way off yet, but you’re like, ‘he is something quite special’. Do you think Sunderland have to go up for him to be a Sunderland player next year?
“I increasingly think so.”
And touching upon the possibility of Bellingham leaving in January, Smith said: “No way.”
Per Capology, Bellingham earns £12.5k-a-week at Sunderland.
Jobe Bellingham backed to become future England star
Bellingham, given his unique athleticism and overall ability, looks as though he’d be a catch for a lot of teams in the Premier League and in Europe.
And he’s on a positive trajection right now, so like Smith says, there’s a lot of evidence that suggests Bellingham could be an international or Champions League player one day in the future.
That’s exactly what SAFC Live pundit has Danny Collins predicted, too. He recently tipped Bellingham and Rigg to become future England stars, saying: “They’re in the set-ups, so they’re getting a taster of it, with the younger age groups.
“But keep on going. Young lads isn’t it. But if they’re doing things right, age is just a number, isn’t it?
“On the right path. Obviously Jobe there will be keeping an eye on his brother, following in his footsteps. It wouldn’t be bad would it.”
But Bellingham, like many others in the Sunderland team, could be snapped up next summer if Sunderland fail to earn promotion this season, so there’s certainly a lot now riding on this campaign.