In his time at the Academy of Light, the former Birmingham City man has overseen a radical overhaul of the club’s playing squad with the Wearsiders focusing on their academy, and buying young players to be nurtured and blooded in the first team.
It is a strategy that has produced results, with Speakman providing a squad that Alex Neil managed to brilliantly turn into promotion winners following Lee Johnson’s under-achievement.
However, with any recruitment strategy, there are pros and cons. Speakman has been criticised in some quarters for not providing Sunderland with enough depth, as evidenced by the injuries to Ross Stewart and the recall of Ellis Simms which left Tony Mowbray without any senior strikers for large parts of last season.
Here, though, we drill down into every signing sanctioned by Speakman since his arrival at the club and rate them from one to ten.
Note that we don’t include the signings of Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn, Jenson Seelt, Eliezer Mayenda, Timothee Pembele and Adil Aouchiche as they haven’t played for the club enough as of yet to judge and we haven’t included youth team signings like Timur Tuterov.
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Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. Ross Stewart
The big striker was spotted by Lee Johnson under the recommendation of Brian McDermott and brought to Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman as Charlie Wyke's replacement. Stewart was a magnificent addition and fired Sunderland to the Championship before injuries and his eventual departure to Southampton for big-money. The Black Cats turned a more than healthy profit. There is, though, regret that the two parties couldn't agree on a new deal. 10/10. Photo: Stu Forster
. Carl Winchester
Winchester proved to be a decent signing for Sunderland after being plucked from Forest Green Rovers. Another player Lee Johnson was familiar with. "Winniesta" helped Sunderland to promotion and turned in some battling performances in midfield, right back and right centre-back. Every team needs players like Carl Winchester. 7/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
. Jordan Jones
Produced some moments of real quality but lacked consistency and was part of a team that ultimately failed to get promoted during his six-month loan deal. The logic in the transfer was clear to see but it just didn't quite work out in the end. 5/10. Photo: Bryn Lennon
. Jake Vokins
Vokins was brought in as cover but largely struggled due to injury and covid issues. Again, the logic of signing the player was clear: a young, hungry and talented player to push the first team. However, it didn't happen for Vokins at Sunderland and he only made four league appearances. 2/10. Photo: Naomi Baker
. Callum Doyle
It is easy to forget just how good Callum Doyle was for Sunderland at such a young age during the early part of last season although his involvement did lessen as the campaign wore on. Part of the promotion-winning squad. 7.5/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
. Nathan Broadhead
When he was fit, Nathan Broadhead was electrifying and scored some crucial late goals for Sunderland to help Alex Neil cement the club's play-off position. Most Wearsiders would have been over the moon had he returned to the club over the past couple of windows. No Broadhead, no promotion. 9/10. Photo: Stu Forster
. Thorben Hoffmann
The Hoff produced some moments of quality during the early part of Sunderland's promotion campaign (Gillingham away springs to mind) but was unseated by the emergence of Anthony Patterson. A signing that probably needed to be made at the time. 7/10. Photo: Stu Forster
. Frederik Alves
Another loan signing from a Premier League side where the logic was clear to see but it just never happened for Alves at the Stadium of Light. 4/10. Photo: COPYRIGHT (C) FRANK REID 20187
. Leon Dajaku
Dajaku is a strange case. He possesses in his locker and has shown some real quality during his time at Sunderland but has struggled for consistency due to various injuries and other factors. Failed to make an impact in the Championship. Definitely was not a striker as claimed at one point. Scored four in 22 in Sunderland in League One but has since departed the club. 5/10 Photo: Stu Forster
. Jack Clarke
The attacker has been superb for Sunderland during his time at the club, chipping in with 24 goal contributions in all competitions last season. A potential sale could also net the club millions in profits. 10/10. Photo: Nigel Roddis
. Dennis Cirkin
A defender plucked from Tottenham's academy and thrust into Sunderland's first team. It is safe to say Cirkin has equipped himself brilliantly and is a player whose ceiling is extremely high. Another amazing transfer given his potential and resale value coupled with his in-game contributions. 9/10 Photo: FRANK REID
. Jay Matete
Matete has gradually improved since joining Sunderland and was part of the squad that gained promotion from League One. The midfielder was sent out on loan to Plymouth last January and it will be interesting to see what now happens to him this season. 6/10 Photo: Clive Brunskill
. Niall Huggins
Huggins showed his quality before picking up some really unfortunate long-term injuries. He is still young enough to bounce back and you get the feeling that this transfer can still come good. 5/10. Photo: FRANK REID 2021
. Danny Batth
A colossus in defence for Sunderland and a shrewd signing pushed for by Lee Johnson. Many fans were said to see the big defender leave for Norwich City during the last transfer window. 9/10 Photo: Clive Brunskill
1. Ross Stewart
The big striker was spotted by Lee Johnson under the recommendation of Brian McDermott and brought to Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman as Charlie Wyke's replacement. Stewart was a magnificent addition and fired Sunderland to the Championship before injuries and his eventual departure to Southampton for big-money. The Black Cats turned a more than healthy profit. There is, though, regret that the two parties couldn't agree on a new deal. 10/10. Photo: Stu Forster
2. Carl Winchester
Winchester proved to be a decent signing for Sunderland after being plucked from Forest Green Rovers. Another player Lee Johnson was familiar with. "Winniesta" helped Sunderland to promotion and turned in some battling performances in midfield, right back and right centre-back. Every team needs players like Carl Winchester. 7/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
3. Jordan Jones
Produced some moments of real quality but lacked consistency and was part of a team that ultimately failed to get promoted during his six-month loan deal. The logic in the transfer was clear to see but it just didn't quite work out in the end. 5/10. Photo: Bryn Lennon
4. Jake Vokins
Vokins was brought in as cover but largely struggled due to injury and covid issues. Again, the logic of signing the player was clear: a young, hungry and talented player to push the first team. However, it didn't happen for Vokins at Sunderland and he only made four league appearances. 2/10. Photo: Naomi Baker