Can Sunderland stay up in the Premier League? New signings, tactical flexibility and early fixtures will be key | OneFootball

Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, and they are making it clear they do not want to be another one-season wonder.

Over £110 million has already been spent on a summer recruitment drive that has brought in more than ten new signings. It is a statement of intent from a club determined to avoid the fate of other recently promoted sides, all of whom have been relegated at the first time of asking in the past two seasons.

Regis Le Bris arrived on Wearside last July with modest expectations. His previous job had ended with Lorient’s relegation to Ligue 2, and his appointment was met with muted reaction among Sunderland supporters.

But an unbeaten August in the Championship and a Manager of the Month award changed the mood entirely. Sunderland settled into the top four and never looked back, securing a playoff place as Leeds United and Burnley claimed the automatic promotion spots.

The semi-final against Coventry City went to extra time in the second leg, with Dan Ballard’s winner sending the Stadium of Light into raptures. That set up a Wembley showdown with Sheffield United, who led for much of the game. Sunderland struggled to create chances until Mayenda struck on the counter to level. Then, deep into stoppage time, academy graduate Tommy Watson turned the match and Sunderland’s season  on its head with a dramatic injury time winner.

Watson, who joined the club at Under-9 level, left for Brighton in the summer but not before gifting supporters a moment that will live long in Wearside folklore.

Life back in the Premier League will be unforgiving. The gulf between the Championship and top-flight football has never been greater, with promoted clubs struggling to match the pace, skill and depth of established sides.

Le Bris knows this better than most. He has already endured a relegation battle during his time in France and will need every bit of that experience to guide Sunderland to safety. The club have shown faith in his vision, extending his contract until 2028.

Unlike some managers who stick rigidly to one approach, Le Bris is tactically flexible. While he prefers a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, he is willing to adjust his game plan to suit the opposition. Sunderland are capable of keeping possession, but they are arguably more dangerous when sitting deep and breaking quickly, a style that delivered success in the playoff final and saw them finish as the Championship’s best counter-attacking team.

The recent fate of Vincent Kompany’s Burnley is a warning. Dominant in the Championship, they found their expansive style too easy to exploit in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham also experienced rocky spells last season when a refusal to adapt left them exposed.

For Sunderland, the lesson is clear: possession will be harder to come by, and attempting to control games against stronger sides could be costly. The ability to soak up pressure and strike at the right moment may be their best hope of survival.

Sunderland’s summer recruitment has been bold, mixing promising young players with proven top-flight experience.

Granit Xhaka

One of the more surprising deals of the window, Sunderland have brought former Arsenal captain Xhaka back to England after his success in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga season. The 32-year-old made over 200 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, winning two FA Cups, and captains the Swiss national team. His leadership and composure will be vital in a squad where none of the playoff final starters had played in the Premier League. Xhaka can play as a deep-lying midfielder or box-to-box, dictating tempo and offering defensive cover.

Enzo Le Fee

A familiar face for Le Bris from their time together at Lorient, Le Fee is an energetic central midfielder who joined from Roma after a January loan. Despite an injury setback, he played a key role in the playoff run, including providing the assist for Ballard’s semi-final winner. At £19.3 million, he could prove one of Sunderland’s shrewdest investments if he can stay fit and build on his debut campaign.

Simon Adingra

The 23-year-old winger arrives from Brighton with 60 Premier League appearances and eight goals under his belt. Adingra shone at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Ivory Coast lift the trophy and winning Young Player of the Tournament. Quick, tricky and direct, he can unsettle defences and offers a genuine threat on the counter.

Sunderland’s Premier League return begins with a home match against West Ham, followed by clashes with fellow promoted side Burnley and a Brentford team undergoing a rebuild. These early games present a crucial opportunity to collect points before facing the league’s elite.

West Ham struggled for consistency last season but remain a side stacked with proven Premier League performers. Burnley will be desperate to make a stronger start than last year, while Brentford’s summer departures could leave them vulnerable in the opening weeks.

A strong start could boost confidence and ease the pressure before the inevitable challenges arrive.

Sunderland’s route to safety may lie in a disciplined defensive shape, midfield energy and sharp counter-attacks. With Xhaka bringing organisation, Le Fee offering drive and Adingra providing pace out wide, the pieces are in place for an effective low-block and breakaway strategy.

Le Bris’ adaptability will be tested throughout the campaign. Some games will demand the Black Cats press high and take the initiative, while others will require them to stay compact and frustrate more talented opponents. His track record suggests he is not afraid to make changes, a trait that could prove decisive in the fight for survival.

Prediction

Sunderland’s heavy summer investment shows ambition, but Premier League experience remains thin across the squad. The intensity, speed and physical demands of the top flight often catch new players off guard, and avoiding a slow start will be essential.

The club’s early fixtures provide an opportunity to lay down a marker. Points against West Ham, Burnley and Brentford could give Sunderland breathing room before a brutal winter schedule.

Survival is the realistic aim, but if Le Bris can blend tactical nous with the quality of his summer recruits, the Black Cats may just have the bite to stay among English football’s elite.