Sunderland could be 2 signings and Jack Clarke retention away from play-off guarantee: View
Sunderland will be full of optimism about what the season might hold, with a new dawn beginning under Regis Le Bris at the Stadium of Light.
The club have had four permanent managers in two years and are in need of the next boss to take a young squad to the next level. A slow appointment threatened to undermine them, but the swift appointment of Le Bris has allowed for an easier summer, which he is currently overseeing with no fewer than four signings so far.
There will be more to come yet, but Blondy Nna Noukeu, Simon Moore, Ian Poveda, and Alan Browne have bolstered their ranks ahead of the new campaign. However, perhaps retaining Jack Clarke is seen as the best bit of business to date regarding Sunderland.
After an underwhelming season of stagnation in the second tier in finishing 16th in the league, there were bound to be a number of changes behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light, with the futures of many players up for discussion in both the short and long-term.
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Sunderland chances of a striker signing before Cardiff City opener now rated
Sunderland’s chances of a potential striker signing before their Championship opener vs Cardiff City have been rated.
Sunderland kick off their 2024/25 Championship season with a trip to Cardiff City this weekend.
The Black Cats begin life under new head coach Regis Le Bris after what’s been a fairly mixed summer transfer window and pre-season for the club.
Last time out, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Marseille in what was perhaps one of their more impressive pre-season results, with goals coming from Dennis Cirkin and Adil Aouchiche.
In the transfer market, Kristjaan Speakman has overseen four new signings, with Sunderland signing Blondy Nna Noukeu most recently.
But in the club’s striker search, Speakman has so far fallen short, with no new strikers having arrived at the Stadium of Light as of yet.
Right now, Sunderland are trying to sign Ike Ugbo from Troyes, and it appears that the Black Cats remain interested in Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
Mendy released a statement on his future recently, outlining his desire to leave the Ligue 2 club before the summer transfer window shuts on August 30th.
Michael Graham discusses Sunderland striker search ahead of Cardiff City
Speaking ahead of the Cardiff City clash this weekend, journalist Michael Graham was asked whether or not he can foresee Sunderland signing a new striker before the trip to Wales.
Graham says he ‘can definitely see’ Sunderland and Speakman recruiting a new striker before then.
However, Graham doesn’t necessarily expect the Black Cats to land a much-needed new striker before the game at Cardiff.
Who will start up front for Sunderland at Cardiff City
The chances of a new striker arriving on Wearside in the coming days seem slim.
And the chances of a new striker arriving and being fit to feature against Cardiff City seem even slimmer.
So for Le Bris, thoughts will be on his starting XI and who starts up top, which could be a pressing team selection issue for as long as Speakman doesn’t get a new striker in.
Le Bris has tried and tested a few options out in pre-season. Though youngster Eliezer Mayenda appears to have played as the lone striker more often than others.
It could be a risk starting the 19-year-old vs Cardiff given his lack of Championship experience.
But needs must for Sunderland and Le Bris who remain in desperate need of a proven striker; either proven in the Championship or proven elsewhere.
