Last season, Black Cats boss Alex Neil had to adapt by playing people out of position and switching to a wing-back system to accommodate an unbalanced squad.
Neil often set his sides up in a 4-2-3-1 formation at former clubs Norwich and Preston, and may want to deploy a similar system at Sunderland for the 2022/23 campaign.
While Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has said the Black Cats will have a competitive budget this summer, they will also be looking at the loan and free agent markets.
Here are nine players they could try to sign:
While Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has said the Black Cats will have a competitive budget this summer, they will also be looking at the loan and free agent markets.
5. Callum Brittain
Another player who could be poached following Barnsley's relegation to League One. Brittain, 24, is a player who likes to get forward and, despite a disappointing 2021/22 campaign, helped Barnsley reach the play-offs during the previous season. Photo: George Wood
6. Cyrus Christie
An attacking right-back who played as a wing-back for Swansea while on loan in South Wales this year. The 29-year-old remains a Republic of Ireland international and will leave Fulham this summer. Sunderland are still short of options on the right side of defence and, while Neil may want to deploy a back four, the Black Cats boss regularly used a wing-back system during the 2021/22 campaign. Photo: Ryan Hiscott
7. Ryan Nyambe
Blackburn offered the right-back a new contract this summer yet the 24-year-old is set to leave Ewood Park in search of a new opportunity. Nyambe came through the ranks at Blackburn and has made over 150 first-team Championship appearances since breaking into the first team. Photo: Stu Forster
8. Marlon Fossey
The 23-year-old has returned to Fulham after impressing on loan at Bolton in the second half of last season. Fossey often operated as a wing-back for Ian Evatt's side and registered five assists in 16 appearances for Wanderers. An injury curtailed his loan spell, yet his performances will have attracted interest. He has a year left on his contract at Fulham. Photo: National World