Thomas Meunier raises Sunderland expectations with bold target after seventh-place finish
Thomas Meunier has outlined his ambitions for Sunderland as the Black Cats look to build on last season’s seventh-place finish
Thomas Meunier has revealed Sunderland are targeting another top-seven Premier League finish rather than simply looking to preserve their top-flight status.
The Belgium international joined the Black Cats on a free transfer from Lille in July, signing a two-year contract and becoming Régis Le Bris’ first addition of the summer. Sunderland finished seventh last season following promotion from the Championship, securing a place in the Europa League and bringing European football back to Wearside for the first time since 1973.
That achievement has raised expectations at the Stadium of Light. Meunier says Sunderland want to build on it, despite the additional demands created by competing in the Premier League and Europe. The 35-year-old arrived with experience after representing Club Brugge, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Trabzonspor and Lille. He had made 43 appearances in the Champions League and another 33 in the Europa League before completing his move to Wearside.
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Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Meunier said the opportunity to return to European competition had played a major part in convincing him to join Sunderland. “I have never played without Europe,” he said. “Two games a week, I’m used to it. It was a big argument from Sunderland to convince me.
“We do not want to be an average team, just to stay in the Premier League – no. We were seventh last season and want to be at least the same again. The Europa League also has prestigious games. I don’t play only for fun; you need a reward. If I’m still, at 35 years old, at a competitive club, it’s because of the way I see football.”