James Copley: Why Sunderland fans should not panic over Florent Ghisolfi’s slow transfer start
Sunderland have made a slow start to the summer window, but last year’s late business offers plenty of reason for patience
There have been a few grumblings about Sunderland’s lack of incoming transfer business so far this summer. I can sympathise with that.
Transfer windows are exciting. Supporters want names to discuss, rumours to debate and, frankly, a little dopamine from seeing a new player holding up the shirt. Last summer was so exciting and unusual that it has probably stuck in the memory when judging this one. As of July 26, Sunderland have made one senior signing, with Thomas Meunier arriving to add experience and versatility on the right side of Régis Le Bris’ defence.
Would Le Bris have preferred to have more of his new players in place for the tour of the United States? Almost certainly. Every manager would rather have the majority of their squad together as early as possible, working on fitness, relationships and tactical details.
Transfer windows rarely work that neatly, though. There is no reason to panic yet. Sunderland have earned the right to be judged when the window closes rather than during the final week of July. I will happily have my knickers in a twist if very little has progressed in another two or three weeks. At the moment, however, there is still a long way to go, and Sunderland have considerably less work to complete than they did 12 months ago.
Last summer was completely different
Sunderland entered last summer needing to build a Premier League squad almost from scratch. Enzo Le Fée’s permanent move was confirmed on June 3, followed by Habib Diarra on July 1 and Noah Sadiki three days later. Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra then arrived during a busy period between July 8 and July 10.
Even then, plenty of work remained outstanding. Granit Xhaka joined on July 30. Robin Roefs followed on August 1, with Marc Guiu arriving on loan five days later. Arthur Masuaku signed on August 10, Omar Alderete arrived on August 12, and Nordi Mukiele completed his move on August 17. Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traoré and Lutsharel Geertruida were all added on deadline day.
That is nine signings from July 30 onwards. Several of them became important members of the squad and helped shape Sunderland’s season. Roefs established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. Alderete and Mukiele strengthened the defence, while Xhaka’s influence hardly requires explaining. Brobbey gave Sunderland another major option through the middle.
The fact they arrived later in the window did not stop them contributing. That does not mean Sunderland should deliberately wait until deadline day or that late business is always preferable. Earlier is obviously better, particularly when a club is preparing for four competitions. It does, however, offer useful context. A quiet period in late July does not mean the recruitment department has stopped working or that Sunderland will begin the season with the squad exactly as it currently stands.
There is less to do this time
Sunderland are also building from a much stronger foundation. Last summer, the club needed numbers as well as quality. They had to quickly increase the number of players capable of competing in the Premier League. This time, the task is more refined.
Le Bris already has an established goalkeeper in Roefs. Dan Ballard, Reinildo, Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien and Trai Hume provide a strong defensive core. The midfield contains Xhaka, Le Fée, Diarra, Sadiki and Chris Rigg.
There is quality in attack through Brobbey, Wilson Isidor, Talbi, Nilson Angulo and Romaine Mundle, with further decisions to be made over several younger and fringe players. Sunderland still need to improve. Florent Ghisolfi has said as much, and Europa League football means the squad will require greater depth and variety.
A right-sided attacker appears an obvious area to strengthen. Another centre-back or left-sided defender could also be considered, while Sunderland will continue assessing opportunities elsewhere. But this is not a case of needing ten or 12 players simply to field a competitive side. The challenge is to find two or three additions who genuinely raise the level rather than merely increasing the numbers.
Those deals are often harder to complete. Players capable of immediately improving a Premier League team with European football usually have several options. Their clubs may wait for the market to develop, while agents and players will naturally assess every opportunity available. The World Cup has also complicated the summer, with international players returning at different stages and clubs delaying decisions until their squads are back together.
Sunderland have earned some trust
None of this means supporters should accept everything without question. It is completely fair to feel frustrated by the lack of movement or to wish Sunderland had completed more business before travelling to America. Fans are entitled to debate the squad’s weaknesses and question whether the club is moving quickly enough.
There is a difference, however, between mild frustration and genuine panic. Sunderland’s recruitment work last summer was not perfect. Marc Guiu’s loan was cut short, while not every signing had the impact initially hoped for. Overall, though, the club built a squad capable of competing immediately in the Premier League. They did so while protecting the long-term health of the club and retaining the core mentality Le Bris had developed.
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
That buys Sunderland a little patience. The club should ultimately be judged on the squad Le Bris has available when the window closes, not on how many transfer rumours supporters had to discuss in the middle of July. There is still time for deals to be completed, and history shows much of Sunderland’s most significant work can happen late. Ask me again in two or three weeks, and my answer may be very different. For now, the slow start is worth noting, but it is not yet worth panicking about.