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Sunderland are out to buck the trend for promoted sides

Sunderland are out to buck the trend for promoted sides

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With just two weeks remaining until the start of the 2025/26 season, it’s fair to say that no team is more excited for the Premier League’s return than Sunderland.

By Zach Lowy

After spending the past eight years in the Championship and League One, the Black Cats are back in the top-flight, and they’ve prepared for their return by splurging a total of €130.9 million on new signings. But can they make a return on their investment by staving off the threat of relegation? FotMob spoke to three Sunderland supporters to find out.

When Sunderland appointed Régis Le Bris in June 2024, they were coming off a dismal 16th-place finish in England’s second tier. However, the Frenchman didn’t take long to make an impression on his players and turn around their fortunes, with Sunderland winning their first four league fixtures and ascending to first place, only to end up dropping out of the two automatic playoff spots and finishing fourth in the table. Sunderland would then proceed to edge past Coventry City in the promotion playoffs thanks to a 123rd-minute goal from Daniel Ballard, before erasing an early deficit and defeating Sheffield United 2-1 courtesy of Tom Watson’s 95th-minute winner.

“Le Bris has been hugely important,” stated Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley. “He’s brought clarity, pragmatism, and a calm authority to the club. He makes solid decisions and hasn’t wavered in his beliefs, even under pressure. That consistency has helped Sunderland rediscover belief – not just in themselves, but in the overall direction the club is going. Sunderland will need to adapt to the Premier League, but the core philosophy doesn’t need ripping up – it just needs evolving for a higher level.”

The Black Cats showcased a pragmatic approach throughout the 2024/25 campaign, switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 and achieving success with their aggressive, counter-pressing setup. They thrived at grinding out games with their organized defensive setup, sitting deep and weathering the storm before transitioning with their speedy counter-attacking unit. Sunderland ranked 12th in the EFL Championship for accurate passes per match (335.8) and average possession (49.1%), and as such, they likely won’t have to tweak their style as the other promoted sides – Leeds and Burnley.

Sunderland average goals for and against in the Championship

“From virtually the first whistle of the season, Le Bris had us playing a pressing style that relied on sitting deep and countering with pace,” stated Gav Henderson of Roker Report. “It certainly developed over the course of the season, but that’s what we stuck with and that’s what ultimately got us promoted. Le Bris is meticulous and knows exactly what he’s doing…he spends every second of the day trying to be the best Head Coach that he can possibly be. I have never seen a more detail-obsessed manager at the helm at Sunderland; he is the key to our success.” 

Each of the Premier League’s last six promoted sides have been immediately relegated back down to the Championship, and it will take a Herculean effort from Sunderland as they look to stop that trend. In order to do so, they’ve splashed the cash on a number of talented young players like 20-year-old midfielder Noah Sadiki (€17m), 20-year-old winger Chemsdine Talbi (€20m), 23-year-old winger Simon Adingra (€20m), and 21-year-old midfielder Habib Diarra, who has joined from Strasbourg for a club-record €31.5m. They’ve also brought in two battle-hardened veterans in Reinildo Mandava (free) and Granit Xhaka (€15m) and completed the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fée for €23m.

Le Fée showed glimpses of his quality during his initial loan spell

Judging by the quality of their new signings and the overall expenditure, it’s evident that Sunderland are not looking to make up the numbers – they’re seeking to thrive, not simply survive. These players not only have Premier League and Champions League pedigree, but they’ve also shown that they can flourish in high-pressure environments and deliver the goods, having helped their teams win Bundesliga, LaLiga and Belgian Pro League titles as well as AFCON titles. It’s why, despite losing two key figures in Watson (to Brighton) and Jobe Bellingham (to Dortmund), Sunderland appear well-equipped to not only return to the Premier League, but do so in style. Sunderland exhibit zero signs of slowing down in their investment and are keen to reinforce their attack with a versatile striker in addition to another goalkeeper and centre-back. But while they’ve put their faith behind Le Bris and given him a much-needed squad makeover, it’s evident there’s still plenty that they’ll need to work on going into the new season.

“The biggest room for improvement on last season is consistency; sometimes we blew teams out of the water with our press, and in other games, we sat off far too deep,” stated Sunderland journalist Ethan Todd. “Inconsistency is to be expected with a young squad, but we need to maintain the same identity and intensity every game next season. I don’t think it’s Le Bris’ style to overextend and go all out on the attack. They will not shirk responsibility and let teams have a free hit, but he always approaches games very pragmatically and in a calculated manner.”

Can Sunderland do something that Luton Town, Burnley, Sheffield United, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton have all failed to do over the previous two years: avoid relegation as a promoted side? It remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Stadium of Light will be rocking on August 17 for their opening match against West Ham thanks to a legion of supporters who, for the first time in a while, are daring to dream.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the every game from the Premier League with FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Sunderland are out to buck the trend for promoted sides

With just two weeks remaining until the start of the 2025/26 season, it’s fair to say that no team is more excited for the Premier League’s return than Sunderland.

By Zach Lowy

After spending the past eight years in the Championship and League One, the Black Cats are back in the top-flight, and they’ve prepared for their return by splurging a total of €130.9 million on new signings. But can they make a return on their investment by staving off the threat of relegation? FotMob spoke to three Sunderland supporters to find out.

When Sunderland appointed Régis Le Bris in June 2024, they were coming off a dismal 16th-place finish in England’s second tier. However, the Frenchman didn’t take long to make an impression on his players and turn around their fortunes, with Sunderland winning their first four league fixtures and ascending to first place, only to end up dropping out of the two automatic playoff spots and finishing fourth in the table. Sunderland would then proceed to edge past Coventry City in the promotion playoffs thanks to a 123rd-minute goal from Daniel Ballard, before erasing an early deficit and defeating Sheffield United 2-1 courtesy of Tom Watson’s 95th-minute winner.

“Le Bris has been hugely important,” stated Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley. “He’s brought clarity, pragmatism, and a calm authority to the club. He makes solid decisions and hasn’t wavered in his beliefs, even under pressure. That consistency has helped Sunderland rediscover belief – not just in themselves, but in the overall direction the club is going. Sunderland will need to adapt to the Premier League, but the core philosophy doesn’t need ripping up – it just needs evolving for a higher level.”

The Black Cats showcased a pragmatic approach throughout the 2024/25 campaign, switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 and achieving success with their aggressive, counter-pressing setup. They thrived at grinding out games with their organized defensive setup, sitting deep and weathering the storm before transitioning with their speedy counter-attacking unit. Sunderland ranked 12th in the EFL Championship for accurate passes per match (335.8) and average possession (49.1%), and as such, they likely won’t have to tweak their style as the other promoted sides – Leeds and Burnley.

Sunderland average goals for and against in the Championship

“From virtually the first whistle of the season, Le Bris had us playing a pressing style that relied on sitting deep and countering with pace,” stated Gav Henderson of Roker Report. “It certainly developed over the course of the season, but that’s what we stuck with and that’s what ultimately got us promoted. Le Bris is meticulous and knows exactly what he’s doing…he spends every second of the day trying to be the best Head Coach that he can possibly be. I have never seen a more detail-obsessed manager at the helm at Sunderland; he is the key to our success.” 

Each of the Premier League’s last six promoted sides have been immediately relegated back down to the Championship, and it will take a Herculean effort from Sunderland as they look to stop that trend. In order to do so, they’ve splashed the cash on a number of talented young players like 20-year-old midfielder Noah Sadiki (€17m), 20-year-old winger Chemsdine Talbi (€20m), 23-year-old winger Simon Adingra (€20m), and 21-year-old midfielder Habib Diarra, who has joined from Strasbourg for a club-record €31.5m. They’ve also brought in two battle-hardened veterans in Reinildo Mandava (free) and Granit Xhaka (€15m) and completed the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fée for €23m.

Le Fée showed glimpses of his quality during his initial loan spell

Judging by the quality of their new signings and the overall expenditure, it’s evident that Sunderland are not looking to make up the numbers – they’re seeking to thrive, not simply survive. These players not only have Premier League and Champions League pedigree, but they’ve also shown that they can flourish in high-pressure environments and deliver the goods, having helped their teams win Bundesliga, LaLiga and Belgian Pro League titles as well as AFCON titles. It’s why, despite losing two key figures in Watson (to Brighton) and Jobe Bellingham (to Dortmund), Sunderland appear well-equipped to not only return to the Premier League, but do so in style. Sunderland exhibit zero signs of slowing down in their investment and are keen to reinforce their attack with a versatile striker in addition to another goalkeeper and centre-back. But while they’ve put their faith behind Le Bris and given him a much-needed squad makeover, it’s evident there’s still plenty that they’ll need to work on going into the new season.

“The biggest room for improvement on last season is consistency; sometimes we blew teams out of the water with our press, and in other games, we sat off far too deep,” stated Sunderland journalist Ethan Todd. “Inconsistency is to be expected with a young squad, but we need to maintain the same identity and intensity every game next season. I don’t think it’s Le Bris’ style to overextend and go all out on the attack. They will not shirk responsibility and let teams have a free hit, but he always approaches games very pragmatically and in a calculated manner.”

Can Sunderland do something that Luton Town, Burnley, Sheffield United, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton have all failed to do over the previous two years: avoid relegation as a promoted side? It remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Stadium of Light will be rocking on August 17 for their opening match against West Ham thanks to a legion of supporters who, for the first time in a while, are daring to dream.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the every game from the Premier League with FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.