Decision time for Sunderland... stick with strategy or twist to try and survive in Premier League?

Sunderland secured a exceptional promotion again to the Premier League, however now they face a crucial summer season.

Recent from their comeback victory over Sheffield United at Wembley within the Championship play-off closing, consideration turned to how the Black Cats can survive within the Premier League subsequent season.

Matchwinner Tommy Watson has already left to hitch Brighton, whereas Jobe Bellingham has been travelling around Germany already to hunt out his subsequent transfer.

Right here, the Sky Sports activities Important EFL podcast panel of Andy Hinchcliffe and Gary Weaver focus on what’s subsequent for the membership…

Resolution time for Sunderland

“It is unimaginable what they’ve achieved,” mentioned Hinchcliffe. “They’ve caught to a philosophy: creating younger expertise, constructing sensibly, and it is introduced them success. However now comes a giant resolution. Do they persist with that blueprint, or do they spend massive to attempt to keep within the Premier League?

“Groups like Leeds and Burnley have been arguably higher ready. On paper, Sunderland may not stand a lot of an opportunity with their present squad. However they now have that monetary increase from promotion, which might put them in a robust place even when they do return down.

“Their summer season can be crucial. It seems like Bellingham and Tommy Watson are on their method out. So what now? Is it about staying up in any respect prices, or is it about sticking to what obtained them there within the first place? I feel they will persist with most of their philosophy, however perhaps add a number of skilled gamers to offer themselves an opportunity of survival.”

Weaver added: “Sunderland will nonetheless have important prices. They have cash coming in, positive, however there are additionally bonuses and add-ons they will owe to different golf equipment for gamers they’ve already signed.

“Enzo Le Charge will are available in completely now, which is nice. He is been sensible. What a transfer that is been, coming from Regis Le Bris texting him in January to ask how he was. 5 months later, he is within the Premier League.

“There’s quite a bit for Sunderland to do. They’ve most likely been planning for this from early on, after they realised that they had an actual shot at promotion. However the massive query is whether or not they proceed with the identical technique. Will they hold creating and promoting, or will that change now? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.

“Jordan Henderson’s been linked with a return. He is additionally been linked with Serie A golf equipment. He was at Wembley on Saturday, so that may trace at what Sunderland are considering, perhaps mixing it up a bit.”

Bellingham could also be on the transfer… however might Watson be again on mortgage?

“We mentioned final week that Bellingham was most likely going to depart both method,” mentioned Weaver. “I would heard earlier than the semi-final second leg that it is perhaps his final sport on the Stadium of Mild.

“We do not know the precise particulars, however perhaps this transfer was all the time a part of the plan when he joined Sunderland. He’d have two years, after which transfer on. It is the Bellingham blueprint: go to Germany, push on, then perhaps go some other place.

“So I do not assume this comes as a shock to Sunderland’s hierarchy. In actual fact, I feel the membership getting promoted has been a little bit of a shock for them as effectively.

“They are going to be up towards it within the Premier League. Would Bellingham wish to be a part of a struggling aspect? If that is the way it performs out.

“Sunderland have been clear about their technique. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus mentioned it when he arrived: deliver gamers in younger, develop them and promote them when the time and value are proper.

“We noticed Jack Clarke go initially of the season when the value and timing have been proper. A part of that was as a result of Tommy Watson was coming by way of behind him. Then Brighton got here in with a proposal for him.

“Might he return on mortgage to Sunderland subsequent season? You by no means know. Luke O’Nien joked he is trying ahead to placing in a number of tackles on him after they meet within the Premier League.”