Sunderland have enjoyed an impressive return to the Premier League and could head into next season at a crucial time as Regis Le Bris’ side avoid any fear of a relegation battle.
I don’t want to tempt fate, but it would take a stunning collapse for Sunderland to drop to the bottom three in the final two months of the season, and one of the losers in the relegation zone would also need to overturn a 12-point deficit in nine games.
The Black Cats have been one of the season’s biggest success stories, but there is still work to be done. Le Bris hopes to continue this rapid recruitment drive and avoid second season syndrome in 2025/26.
To ensure this happens, Wearsiders are building a front line.
How Sunderland are building their front line
Last season Sunderland were an economical and entertaining team, if not as exciting as last season’s Championship.
Sunderland are one of the best-managed teams in the Premier League, but they feel they need more movement in their attack. That was underlined by the absence of Brian Brobby in attack, with the Dutch striker signed for £25m last summer.
Brobby, 24, has been described by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a “natural killer” in front of goal, but he has scored just five times in the Premier League this season.
However, despite his strengths, Sunderland’s forwards still leave something to be desired in terms of chance creation and sharpness in the final third.
Lowest xG total in Premier League (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
club | Number of points scored | xG total |
(16) Knotts Forest | 28 | 35.06 |
(17) Tottenham | 39 | 34.21 |
(18) Sunderland | 30 | 30.08 |
(19) Wolf | twenty two | 27.92 |
(20) Burnley | 32 | 27.32 |
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability that a shot will result in a goal.
There is still work to be done, especially if Le Bris wants to ensure the team’s success for many years in the Premier League.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that efforts are already underway to enhance attacks with a new version of Amad Diallo.
Le Bris wins gold medal with new Amado
Sunderland have a number of exciting forwards, but whether they have a top-class seat-raiser like Amad, who was on loan at the Stadium of Light in 2022/23, is another question.
However, Le Bris sought to resolve that issue in the winter transfer window, signing Ecuadorian winger Nilsson Angulo in a £17.5m deal on deadline day, having joined from Anderlecht after impressing on the Belgian scene.
The 22-year-old is versatile and dynamic, but primarily plays as a left-sided attacking midfielder, with journalist Diego Briones praising him as “very intense when he doesn’t have the ball and selflessly goes down when needed.”
Although he is new to the Premier League, he has already shown considerable potential, being such a hard worker and has the technical ability to become one of the best attackers in the division.
He wins or stalls duels, but he boasts Antoine Semenyo-like qualities in that regard, and is also direct.
The fast and ferocious Ecuadorian international has the potential to be the perfect partner for number nine Blobby. His defensive skills and energy on the ball drew attention during his first weeks in England, but Belgian soccer podcaster Scott Coyne said, “His speed is probably one of his greatest attributes.”
Angulo is perhaps not the finished article, but he is still a top talent who has already proven he has the tools to succeed in the English game.
Sunderland are safe and can foster a new attacking environment with Anglo as their centrepiece. Ahead of the new campaign, Le Brice has everything he needs to take Sunderland’s team to the next level.
Sunderland must regret selling £15m Herro, who is better than Anglo
The former Sunderland star would add a lot of quality to Le Blis’ squad.
