​I’ve seen rumblings on social media lately about Sunderland’s lack of incomings in this transfer window, but is that criticism justified? In my view, no. The squad returns for pre-season on Wednesday, with seven weeks and a full schedule ahead before the Premier League starts. Aside from last season, Sunderland under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have not rushed into early window business, preferring to wait for the right opportunities and perhaps study the early moves of other clubs.
Sunderland aren’t at risk of being left behind, and there’s no need to panic just because no players have been signed by the early days of July. Any potential free agents would have only recently become available, players are still on holiday, and crucially, many are still involved with the World Cup, focusing on their national teams before entertaining transfers.
If Sunderland still haven’t signed anyone by the eve of the new season, discontent is understandable, but that scenario isn’t likely. We will make signings, we will miss out on some targets, others will depart, and, most importantly, Florent Ghisolfi will have Sunderland in a position to compete in all competitions when the window closes. The ownership and recruitment team have earned our trust, and I’m sure we can all agree on that.
Despite a rapid start last year, this summer is about quality over quantity. We do need to strengthen the squad, but I doubt our incomings will reach double figures. In my view, we need another six to seven players at most, with two to four strengthening the starting XI and the rest delivering solid depth and rotation for European campaigns. The foundations laid last year are solid, and, as demonstrated with Granit Xhaka, Sunderland won’t bow to outside interest in their stars.
Every summer, fans compare us to rivals who announce signings. That’s natural, but transfer windows aren’t won in June. Many clubs have spent heavily and moved quickly only to struggle once the season begins, Sunderland having experienced that in the past—the 2013/14 summer under Di Canio is a prime example.
Naturally, social media is not a true measure of progress and tends to amplify anxiety and negativity. Every signing by another club can be portrayed as a setback for Sunderland, and every rumor can spiral into a crisis if a deal falls through. The reality inside the club is far calmer. Our rise has been built on long-term planning and a clear strategy.
The only true assessment of a transfer window comes when it closes. What matters is the strength of Le Bris’s squad on August 23, not on July 5 or 6. Sunderland have moved quickly from League One to this point, and we’ll continue to build toward a robust squad for the season ahead.