Sunderland have so far only made one summer signing ahead of the new season

It was instructive to hear Régis Le Bris say after Sunderland's pre-season win over York City that he was planning to work with a squad of around 20 senior players for the season ahead.

When you break it down, as we did in this piece yesterday, there aren't actually too many gaps left to fill. Having fought off Chelsea's interest in Granit Xhaka (perhaps the most important bit of business the club will do this summer) and added Thomas Meunier on a two-year deal, Le Bris has established options in just about every position on the pitch. There is a clear need for a high-calibre option on the right wing, as well as another left back. A left-sided centre back is on the agenda, and potentially another forward thought that could be dependent on outgoings. The signings Sunderland still have to make are undoubtedly very important ones, but the shape of the squad and side for the season ahead is there.

It has made, that week of Xhaka drama aside, for a fairly quiet summer so far. This is, if all proceeds as Sunderland hope in the years ahead, the new normal. Though they made some significant exceptions to add quality and experience to the squad last summer, Sunderland invested primarily in younger players who they felt could grow over a number of years. The plan has always been to give these players time and space to develop, reducing the need for regular overhauls. Both Le Bris and Florent Ghisolfi believe the key to a team's success is unity and familiarity which can only be built by developing partnerships on and off the pitch over a period of time. There will of course be moments when a refresh is needed and when certain individuals develop at a faster pace than the broader project, their sale allowing for reinvestment. Sunderland know that they can't thrive within the existing financial rules by competing with the traditional big six, and instead have to be smarter and more creative. That means taking calculated gambles on younger players who need longer to develop and become ready-made replacements for those who depart, and also having a more stable side than those elite clubs often enjoy.

It makes for fewer headlines, particularly when the club continues to be hugely effective at keeping their transfer targets firmly under wraps. This is a very positive reflection of the unity behind the scenes, as usually targets leaking either suggests indecision or division at a club or that other clubs and players are using interest to try and attract another bid from elsewhere.

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.

Football is a volatile industry where things can change quickly, but Sunderland enjoy a very clear vision of what they want to build both on and off the pitch. That means they are able to plan longer in advance, and no longer need to rush into the transfer market in order to try and overhaul an ailing team. It may feel a little boring at times, but the speed with which Sunderland moved on Meunier showed us that quiet doesn't mean inactive.

Sunderland will sign more players this summer and it would be no surprise if their transfer record fell again, but there will be real familiarity about the team when the campaign begins and if all goes well, the one after that. Welcome to the new normal; long may it continue.

Your next Sunderland read: What we learned from Sunderland's US tour squad announcement