Sunderland’s Championship campaign ended in a disappointing 16th-placed finish, meaning the club faces a significant summer rebuild as it prepares to appoint a new head coach.
The squad changed considerably from that which beaten Luton Town at home in the first leg of the play-off semi final at the Stadium of Light one year ago today, with some key figures departing and the club committing even more significantly to it’s youth policy. So what did we learn about the club’s strategy over the course of the last two transfer windows, what worked out and what mistakes were made? We rated every single major transfer decision sanctioned by Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland to address what needs to change in the summer ahead...
25. CALLUM STYLES - LOANED FROM BARNSLEY
Didn’t make a huge impact on the team but it wasn’t an easy environment to come into amid managerial turnover and a broader decline in form. Did showcase his versatility as Sunderland now weigh up whether to make the deal a permanent one. Decision rated: 5.5/10 | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
26. JEWISON BENNETTE - LOANED TO ARIS FC
The hope that Bennette would play regularly ahead of pre-season has not transpired, though it’s important to note that injury is understood to have been a huge factor in that. Decision rated: 5/10 | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
27. JAY MATETE - LOANED TO OXFORD UNITED
Almost exactly the same as Embleton, a deal that made short-term sense undone by an unfortunate injury. Decision rated: 6/10 | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
28. ELIEZER MAYENDA - LOANED TO HIBERNIAN
A strange move in that then head coach Michael Beale had said towards the end of the window that the best thing for Mayenda was to stay at the club and continue the process of adjusting to his new surroundings. He then went on loan to Hibs but played little, and so the loss of time getting used to Sunderland’s environment wasn’t offset by getting a lot of senior minutes. Decision rated: 4/10 | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid