Alex Neil issues Sunderland transfer update | OneFootball

Icon: Football League World

Football League World

·12 August 2022

Alex Neil issues Sunderland transfer update

Article image:Alex Neil issues Sunderland transfer update

Sunderland boss Alex Neil has poured cold water on any suggestions that there may be any imminent signings at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats are in clear need of new additions, with a lack of depth evident this week as Neil’s heavily rotated side lost 2-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.


OneFootball Videos


His team included no out-and-out strikers in a 3-5-2 formation, with the lack of fire-power very clear in the club’s scoreless effort and it was a far cry from what happened last weekend when the Wearsiders travelled to Bristol City and came away with all three points in a 3-2 victory.

Quiz: Do these 25 ex-Sunderland players currently play abroad or not?

1 of 25

Article image:Alex Neil issues Sunderland transfer update

Max Power

Yes No

Four Championship points out of a possible six has seen Sunderland sitting pretty after the opening two matches, but that does not mean that manager Neil will not be in the market for new recruits.

And whilst he has now openly admitted that nothing is close when it comes to incomings, there is much hope that new arrivals will be at Sunderland when the window slams shut on September 1.

“I’m confident we’ll get more players in before the transfer deadline, but there’s nobody on their way up here just now,” Neil said in his pre-QPR press conference, per The Chronicle’s James Hunter.

The Verdict

Depending on what formation Alex Neil is going to go with in the near future, then Sunderland could need new players in many different positions.

If it’s the 3-5-2 formation that worked so well last season in League One and did so once again at Bristol City last week, then a new striker or two will be key as there’s a real lack of depth at the top end of the pitch.

Whilst there is a real fixture backlog in the first few months of the campaign due to the mid-season FIFA World Cup, it’s hard to see Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms being dislodged as a pairing if that’s the system that Neil sticks with.

Sunderland fans will probably be wanting more than just forwards though, and considering the size of the club it will be interesting to see who comes in and adds to the fresh faces that have already walked through the door.

View publisher imprint