| Sunderland recruitment this season 15:32 - May 15 with 2918 views | ringwoodblue |
Looking at the profile of Sunderland’s signings this season (listed below), they bought mostly overseas players from European clubs so I wonder if we will follow suit or continue paying inflated prices for young English players from the Championship or PL.
No doubt we need some players with PL experience like Xhaka but I’m not sure we can attract the likes of John Stones, Callum Wilson and James Tavenier. I also see Robert Lewandowski could be available ;-)
Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. €31.5M
Simon Adingra from Brighton €24.4M
Enzo Le Fée from Roma €23.8M
Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge €20M
Brian Brobbey from Ajax €20M
Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht €17.3M
Noah Sadiki from Union SG €17M
Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen €15M
Nordi Mukiele from PSG €12M
Omar Alderete from Getafe €11.6M
Robin Roefs from NEC €10.5M
Jocelin Ta Bi from Maccabi €4M
Melker Ellborg from Malmo €3.5M
Bertrand Traoré from Ajax €2.9M
Reinildo Mandava from Atlético Madrid Free
Arthur Masuaku from Besiktas Free
Lutsharel Geertruida from RB Leipzig Loan [Post edited 15 May 17:41]
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:04 - May 16 with 361 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 08:26 - May 16 by Churchman |
I’ve no idea. But what I’ve seen of the Premier League, I’ve not seen anything exceptional in the goalkeeping department. Certainly live the Chelsea and Palace keepers looked no better.
I’m not saying Walton is the best I’ve ever seen. Just that he’s adequate, knows the club, his team mates and the way KM wants us to play. He didn’t offer too many mistakes last year and I think there are other priorities.
Let’s face it Southampton invested heavily in a top keeper and finished bottom by a country mile. |
Why should we settle with adequate though ? If he’s just adequate we need better. |  |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:19 - May 16 with 316 views | HighgateBlue |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 08:47 - May 16 by Churchman |
You are right. Sunderland fell away really badly and will need good recruitment and a lot of it again if they are not to be in trouble next year.
Are they ‘the blueprint’ or the exception that proves the rule? I’m inclined to think the latter. They have a good manager with contacts and must have a good scouting network. But did all their signings listed in this thread succeed? I don’t know but if anyone does I’d be interested to hear the answer.
I suspect there were some excellent, tolerable and duffers was the mix. The key I think was Xhaka, whoever was at central defence and Brobbey. The spine of the team.
I don’t think there is just one way to succeed and each club is different. Sentimentality doesn’t come into it. You either build on the best of what you have or tear it up and chuck mud at the wall. The latter can work and did for the Mackems. We did a poor imitation of that two seasons ago and it failed. 26 years ago Burley chose to enhance and it worked, but the PL is a very different beast now.
I guess that a compromise of the two, which is what I favour, could be seen as a cop out. But it isn’t. We genuinely have players who can compete at PL level in my view. Not all by any means, but we are in a stronger place than two years ago and have a base to work from. |
Yes I think the key was Xhaka. That sort of signing surely comes along once in a blue moon for a newly promoted club. It's a big ask.
The other notable features of their recruitment were the sheer quantity of it, and the international flavour of it. They threw a lot of darts, and they hit the target enough times. To be able to afford that, I suppose they had to fish in lesser scoured ponds, and they clearly had to have done their research first. I don't know in what position we'll be, as regards international markets. I know that the domestic nature of our recruitment last time round has been commented on, and the club will have improved international scouting to some extent. But I don't know how realistic it is to emulate Sunderland's excellent strike rate.
I'm not convinced that our European recruitment last summer, albeit going into the Championship rather than PL, was stellar. Clearly Matusiwa was a hit. Kipre certainly decent enough business. But Azon disappointed overall, for me, and Cajuste confuses me totally. He clearly wasn't considered up to being an inked-on starter in the Championship. Very happy to consider Egeli as a free hit (albeit an expensive one), given that we're now in the PL, and have a very promising youngster with seemingly a great attitude.
But it's a rather mixed picture overall, and we were paying reasonably chunky money given the division we were in. So if we manage to emulate Sunderland, we will have done incredibly well. It's far from impossible, given that other areas of the club's infrastructure have now been strongly upgraded, leaving more bandwidth to focus on scouting and transfers. Plus, Kieran may well be able to maximise whatever we do end up recruiting. Hard old league though. For every Brentford there's a Luton. For every Brighton there's a Leicester. |  | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:35 - May 16 with 291 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
Without a proper check it look like every player there has played European football and gained valuable experience doing so.
We seem to be a very long way off this volume of recruitment our own dip in to this was getting turned over by Ajax which is not a good start.
I have no confidence in Ashton to be able to deal with PSG, Roma or a top European club, not convinced by him.
You never know though do you, you never know. |  | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:38 - May 16 with 280 views | WolfieAtTheBack |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:19 - May 16 by HighgateBlue |
Yes I think the key was Xhaka. That sort of signing surely comes along once in a blue moon for a newly promoted club. It's a big ask.
The other notable features of their recruitment were the sheer quantity of it, and the international flavour of it. They threw a lot of darts, and they hit the target enough times. To be able to afford that, I suppose they had to fish in lesser scoured ponds, and they clearly had to have done their research first. I don't know in what position we'll be, as regards international markets. I know that the domestic nature of our recruitment last time round has been commented on, and the club will have improved international scouting to some extent. But I don't know how realistic it is to emulate Sunderland's excellent strike rate.
I'm not convinced that our European recruitment last summer, albeit going into the Championship rather than PL, was stellar. Clearly Matusiwa was a hit. Kipre certainly decent enough business. But Azon disappointed overall, for me, and Cajuste confuses me totally. He clearly wasn't considered up to being an inked-on starter in the Championship. Very happy to consider Egeli as a free hit (albeit an expensive one), given that we're now in the PL, and have a very promising youngster with seemingly a great attitude.
But it's a rather mixed picture overall, and we were paying reasonably chunky money given the division we were in. So if we manage to emulate Sunderland, we will have done incredibly well. It's far from impossible, given that other areas of the club's infrastructure have now been strongly upgraded, leaving more bandwidth to focus on scouting and transfers. Plus, Kieran may well be able to maximise whatever we do end up recruiting. Hard old league though. For every Brentford there's a Luton. For every Brighton there's a Leicester. |
When you are a branding a player for Walle Egeli he is a 19 year old Norwegian international in the premier league so we would likely get a return on him if we someone manage to stay up.
He might come good too. | | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 13:48 - May 16 with 236 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 08:26 - May 16 by Churchman |
I’ve no idea. But what I’ve seen of the Premier League, I’ve not seen anything exceptional in the goalkeeping department. Certainly live the Chelsea and Palace keepers looked no better.
I’m not saying Walton is the best I’ve ever seen. Just that he’s adequate, knows the club, his team mates and the way KM wants us to play. He didn’t offer too many mistakes last year and I think there are other priorities.
Let’s face it Southampton invested heavily in a top keeper and finished bottom by a country mile. |
Ok well as you have no idea I’ll tell you, it’s zero. |  |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 13:55 - May 16 with 231 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 08:50 - May 16 by BloomBlue |
You say that but I think Brentford have shown the blueprint, they are an established PL team VIA not breaking up their squad.
The PL hasn't changed that much since they were promoted I would argue the quality has decreased.
Believe me Brentford fans were saying the same about many of their players not being good enough for the PL, but Thomas Frank proved those fans wrong. Sunderland have done well but only Wolves have scored less goals this season, even Burnley have scored the same as Sunderland and in the 2nd half of the season they're something like 3rd worse on goals conceded.
Obviously football is about opinions and we will have to see if Sunderland can establish themselves over the next couple of seasons. But based on facts the Brentford model has worked with retainig championship players and building over 5 years now. |
Exactly how many PL level starters do you think we have in our squad in 2026? | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:08 - May 16 with 207 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 12:19 - May 16 by HighgateBlue |
Yes I think the key was Xhaka. That sort of signing surely comes along once in a blue moon for a newly promoted club. It's a big ask.
The other notable features of their recruitment were the sheer quantity of it, and the international flavour of it. They threw a lot of darts, and they hit the target enough times. To be able to afford that, I suppose they had to fish in lesser scoured ponds, and they clearly had to have done their research first. I don't know in what position we'll be, as regards international markets. I know that the domestic nature of our recruitment last time round has been commented on, and the club will have improved international scouting to some extent. But I don't know how realistic it is to emulate Sunderland's excellent strike rate.
I'm not convinced that our European recruitment last summer, albeit going into the Championship rather than PL, was stellar. Clearly Matusiwa was a hit. Kipre certainly decent enough business. But Azon disappointed overall, for me, and Cajuste confuses me totally. He clearly wasn't considered up to being an inked-on starter in the Championship. Very happy to consider Egeli as a free hit (albeit an expensive one), given that we're now in the PL, and have a very promising youngster with seemingly a great attitude.
But it's a rather mixed picture overall, and we were paying reasonably chunky money given the division we were in. So if we manage to emulate Sunderland, we will have done incredibly well. It's far from impossible, given that other areas of the club's infrastructure have now been strongly upgraded, leaving more bandwidth to focus on scouting and transfers. Plus, Kieran may well be able to maximise whatever we do end up recruiting. Hard old league though. For every Brentford there's a Luton. For every Brighton there's a Leicester. |
That core of signings you mentioned as well to me are a little bit unathletic as well which seems to be a habit or Mark Ashton signings. Kipre for all he is a big bloke got some absolute pastings by physical Championship strikers. Cajuste can't run, Azon isn't weak but can't stay on his feet and not very fast, Egeli atm very slow hopefully he develops as he gets older ad Matusiwa I do really like but he doesn't cover ground that quickly I would worry a bit about his pace in the prem.
Compared with Sunderland signings, Brobbey, Sadiki, Diarra, Mukiele, Alderete. These guys are units, who are mobile but can also play.
Big step up needed in athleticism and mobility all over the pitch. | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:14 - May 16 with 201 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:08 - May 16 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
That core of signings you mentioned as well to me are a little bit unathletic as well which seems to be a habit or Mark Ashton signings. Kipre for all he is a big bloke got some absolute pastings by physical Championship strikers. Cajuste can't run, Azon isn't weak but can't stay on his feet and not very fast, Egeli atm very slow hopefully he develops as he gets older ad Matusiwa I do really like but he doesn't cover ground that quickly I would worry a bit about his pace in the prem.
Compared with Sunderland signings, Brobbey, Sadiki, Diarra, Mukiele, Alderete. These guys are units, who are mobile but can also play.
Big step up needed in athleticism and mobility all over the pitch. |
Yep, all rather sluggish, Matusiwa I still have some concerns about a level up as well but maybe eight the right partner we could be ok there. You’re 100% correct on your last sentence. Fulham always had a good blend of that as well. | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:14 - May 16 with 200 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 08:47 - May 16 by Churchman |
You are right. Sunderland fell away really badly and will need good recruitment and a lot of it again if they are not to be in trouble next year.
Are they ‘the blueprint’ or the exception that proves the rule? I’m inclined to think the latter. They have a good manager with contacts and must have a good scouting network. But did all their signings listed in this thread succeed? I don’t know but if anyone does I’d be interested to hear the answer.
I suspect there were some excellent, tolerable and duffers was the mix. The key I think was Xhaka, whoever was at central defence and Brobbey. The spine of the team.
I don’t think there is just one way to succeed and each club is different. Sentimentality doesn’t come into it. You either build on the best of what you have or tear it up and chuck mud at the wall. The latter can work and did for the Mackems. We did a poor imitation of that two seasons ago and it failed. 26 years ago Burley chose to enhance and it worked, but the PL is a very different beast now.
I guess that a compromise of the two, which is what I favour, could be seen as a cop out. But it isn’t. We genuinely have players who can compete at PL level in my view. Not all by any means, but we are in a stronger place than two years ago and have a base to work from. |
We have a better base to build from than we did on this date in 2024 but our squad is still well off one that will survive in the PL. I think we have a good number of players that you don't mind dipping in and out off the bench over the course of the season but the starting 11 needs big improvement. I'd say we need 8 starters and a few other supplementary players to have a chance. Probably about 12 signings. If you were to ask me who I'd see starting 30+ PL games next season, I would say Davis, O'Shea and Clarke/Philogene in a shared role again.
Xhaka was a key signing for Sunderland. Someone they had no right to sign really and they are probably paying 6 figures a week (or close to) for the privilege of having him. But you can't underestimate the quality of the other signings they made. Players like Diarra, Sadiki, Brobbey, Mukiele, Alderete, Traore, Reinildo, Geertruida all came in at good ages with significant top level games under their belts and in several cases Europa League/Champions League games under their belts. | | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:16 - May 16 with 191 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:14 - May 16 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yep, all rather sluggish, Matusiwa I still have some concerns about a level up as well but maybe eight the right partner we could be ok there. You’re 100% correct on your last sentence. Fulham always had a good blend of that as well. |
If we played a midfield 3 I would be absolutely fine with Azor just buzzing around and breaking up play. In a double pivot I think mobility and ball playing would need to massively improve.
But either way he is more than good enough to be part of a Premier League squad. | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:17 - May 16 with 190 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 14:14 - May 16 by tractorboy1978 |
We have a better base to build from than we did on this date in 2024 but our squad is still well off one that will survive in the PL. I think we have a good number of players that you don't mind dipping in and out off the bench over the course of the season but the starting 11 needs big improvement. I'd say we need 8 starters and a few other supplementary players to have a chance. Probably about 12 signings. If you were to ask me who I'd see starting 30+ PL games next season, I would say Davis, O'Shea and Clarke/Philogene in a shared role again.
Xhaka was a key signing for Sunderland. Someone they had no right to sign really and they are probably paying 6 figures a week (or close to) for the privilege of having him. But you can't underestimate the quality of the other signings they made. Players like Diarra, Sadiki, Brobbey, Mukiele, Alderete, Traore, Reinildo, Geertruida all came in at good ages with significant top level games under their belts and in several cases Europa League/Champions League games under their belts. |
Exactly this, we have a good amount of PL squad players very little starters who would give us a chance of survival. | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:13 - May 16 with 143 views | Churchman |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 13:48 - May 16 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Ok well as you have no idea I’ll tell you, it’s zero. |
So is your answer of zero fact or is that your opinion?
It’s likely to be the case because nobody that we know of bid for him, but we don’t know. The only first hand experience I have was watching the Palace keeper and he was decidedly shaky. Chelsea’s keeper needed a deckchair and a comic he was so unemployed.
I stand by what I’ve said. Walton is adequate, deserves his chance and we have other priorities further up the pitch if we are to stand a chance. |  | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:16 - May 16 with 135 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:13 - May 16 by Churchman |
So is your answer of zero fact or is that your opinion?
It’s likely to be the case because nobody that we know of bid for him, but we don’t know. The only first hand experience I have was watching the Palace keeper and he was decidedly shaky. Chelsea’s keeper needed a deckchair and a comic he was so unemployed.
I stand by what I’ve said. Walton is adequate, deserves his chance and we have other priorities further up the pitch if we are to stand a chance. |
I guess we will have to wait and see if Fulham come knocking with 15M. | |
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:16 - May 16 with 135 views | Churchman |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:13 - May 16 by Churchman |
So is your answer of zero fact or is that your opinion?
It’s likely to be the case because nobody that we know of bid for him, but we don’t know. The only first hand experience I have was watching the Palace keeper and he was decidedly shaky. Chelsea’s keeper needed a deckchair and a comic he was so unemployed.
I stand by what I’ve said. Walton is adequate, deserves his chance and we have other priorities further up the pitch if we are to stand a chance. |
And right on queue the City keeper makes a miss control howler followed by a walkabout as the corner came in.
Keepers are human and make errors. | | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:18 - May 16 with 129 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:16 - May 16 by Churchman |
And right on queue the City keeper makes a miss control howler followed by a walkabout as the corner came in.
Keepers are human and make errors. |
The Man City keeper conceded a poor corner.
Start Walton!
BTW that’s the Man City back up keeper who conceded 16 goals in the Champ last year in 45 appearances. [Post edited 16 May 16:22]
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| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:26 - May 16 with 110 views | Churchman |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:18 - May 16 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
The Man City keeper conceded a poor corner.
Start Walton!
BTW that’s the Man City back up keeper who conceded 16 goals in the Champ last year in 45 appearances. [Post edited 16 May 16:22]
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So what? The point is he is human and he makes errors. All keepers do - even Man City’s who don’t have any rules to abide to, financial otherwise and could buy any keeper on the planet. | | | |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:29 - May 16 with 105 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Sunderland recruitment this season on 16:26 - May 16 by Churchman |
So what? The point is he is human and he makes errors. All keepers do - even Man City’s who don’t have any rules to abide to, financial otherwise and could buy any keeper on the planet. |
I guess I’m just confused. What had that got to do with anything in regard to us upgrading our goalkeeping position to a better starter? | |
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