Sunderland transfer insiders explain deadline day decisions after right-winger deal frustration
Sunderland insiders have outlined the thinking behind the club’s summer business and why a specialist right winger was not deemed essential
There was plenty of glamour attached to Sunderland’s deadline-day pursuit of Malick Fofana, but the thinking behind the club’s wider summer business was considerably more deliberate.
Sunderland insiders suggest one of the objectives entering the window was to make Régis Le Bris’ squad bigger and more physically imposing. Thomas Meunier (6ft 3in), Dayann Méthalie (6ft 2in), Jules Ahoka (around 6ft 3in), Kevin Danso (6ft 3in) and Juan Riquelme Angulo (6ft 4in) all reflect that desire to improve the height profile.
Sources have told The Echo was also a conscious attempt to blend youth and experience. Méthalie (20), Ahoka (20), Fofana (21) and Angulo (18) arrive with significant development potential, while Meunier (34) and Danso (27) bring years of top-level and European experience. That balance matters for a Sunderland side preparing to compete across the Premier League, Europa League and both domestic cups.
One of the more interesting debates surrounds Sunderland’s attacking recruitment. Supporters were desperate to see a specialist right winger arrive and the club explored that market deep into the deadline. A proposed move for Benfica attacker Dodi Lukébakio ultimately came up short, leaving Sunderland without the obvious natural right-sided addition many had expected. That can reasonably be regarded as a small disappointment, but Sunderland sources have been at pains to stress that the club do not view the position as being short of options.
The internal view appears to be that versatility is more important than simply having one player permanently stationed on either flank. Fofana has spent the majority of his career attacking from the left but can play from the right, while Sunderland already have several players capable of moving into that area depending on the demands of a particular game.
Nilson Angulo can operate from the right, while Enzo Le Fée has already been used many times on the left by Le Bris. Chris Rigg and Habib Diarra can also occupy the right flank in different systems, with Trai Hume providing another, more defensive variation when Sunderland want greater security.
That does not mean the right-wing debate disappears. There remains a difference between having several players who can play there and possessing a natural winger whose instinct is to stay wide, attack his full-back and provide consistent penetration down that side.
But Sunderland clearly feel they have enough variety within the squad to cover the position. Fofana adds another one-against-one threat, while Romaine Mundle and Chemsdine Talbi further increase Le Bris’ ability to switch his attacking pieces around. Ultimately, Sunderland feel their winger options are adaptable and can be deployed on either flank.
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The window should not just be assessed solely through the arrivals either. Sunderland have also protected several important assets, with Wilson Isidor and Mundle signing until 2030, Robin Roefs committing until 2031 and Jenson Seelt extending until 2030 before joining Swansea City on loan.
Taken together, the strategy is clear. Sunderland wanted greater height, more experience without abandoning their youth-driven model, increased depth for four competitions and players capable of fulfilling more than one role. Not landing a specialist right winger prevents the window from being completely without question marks. Sunderland, though, clearly believes the flexibility already at Le Bris’ disposal means it is a manageable one rather than a glaring hole.