Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit urges Sunderland AFC to avoid "daft" transfer decisions | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has urged Sunderland to have a strict stance on their top talent.

Lee Hendrie has urged Sunderland AFC to build around their top talents this summer rather than selling them on.

The Black Cats' young squad had been embroiled in a race for automatic promotion for much of the campaign, but the consistency of the likes of Leeds United and Burnley has left them trailing in their wake.

Nevertheless, Regis Le Bris' side are still well-placed for a top-six finish and should have a play-off spot secured with just a few more wins. This will give them a shot at promotion and many around the club feel that ascension to the Premier League is needed if they are to retain their prized assets.

The likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Dennis Cirkin have already begun attracting top-level interest way before the summer. It isn't just them either, with a whole host of other stars sure to be included on several transfer shortlists in the summer.

A return to the top flight for the first time since 2017 feels more like a necessity than a mere ambition, and if Sunderland are to build around their current squad, securing Premier League status will be crucial.

Lee Hendrie urges Sunderland to build on their current squad

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has expressed his hope that Sunderland will retain their exciting young talent in a bid to build a strong squad.

"Sunderland fans will be hoping they get promoted, but it is going to be a tough ask," the former Aston Villa midfielder told FLW.

"Obviously, the likes of Patterson, Bellingham, Cirkin, and Rigg have been linked with moves away. To be honest, I think they would be daft to start selling these players. Holding onto them would be key to building a strong foundation around them.

"Sunderland, as a football club, have bags of potential – the fanbase, the club's stature – but it is hard to keep hold of young players who have been very good. We know lots of bigger clubs, maybe Premier League clubs, want to take youngsters who have proved they can play at that standard.

"Yes, you expect there to be lots of links and maybe a few players who will have their heads turned. But in my eyes, if I were in charge at Sunderland, I would be looking to keep hold of these youngsters and build something, because if they don't go up this season, they will get promoted the following year."

Youth may play to Sunderland's advantage

There is every chance that Sunderland could secure promotion this season, and with their talented young squad, few teams would be able to stop them if they perform at their best.

However, if they remain in the Championship but manage to keep the core of their squad together, they would be well-placed for a brilliant 2025-26 season.

The likes of Bellingham and Rigg are still in their teens, and not pursuing a move would arguably be in their best interest, with many years left for them to develop. Of course, for the slightly older players like Patterson, Cirkin, and Trai Hume, offers may be more enticing, but staying at the Stadium of Light wouldn’t be a poor choice either.

It is difficult to see the co-owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori letting all these players go. They will know that keeping some will provide a foundation and having shown their willingness to spend in January, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them go all out in the summer and bring in some extra help for Le Bris, regardless of what division they lie in.