Sunderland are riding a wave under the management of Regis Le Bris, and while all is well at the Stadium of Light right now, the Frenchman will need to be ready for the second round of the summer transfer window.
Last year, the Black Cats’ summer business was famous, spending with precision but doing so with a precision and tact that eluded many of the newly bankrolled sides.
|
Sunderland Premier League Latest Finish |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Points |
League position |
|
25/26 |
46 |
10 |
|
16/17 |
24 |
20 |
|
15/16 |
39 |
17 of |
|
14/15 |
38 |
16 |
|
13/14 |
38 |
14 |
|
12/13 |
39 |
17 of |
In 10th place in the Premier League, Sunderland will do well to repeat this year’s success, especially if they lose a key player like Brian Brobbey.
The centre-forward has gone from strength to strength since arriving in the Premier League last summer, and this has caught the eye of many European strikers.
Why Sunderland need a new Brian Brobbey
Brobbey has been a revelation at number nine for Sunderland. Described as “the way of the beast” for the Black Cats by former striker Marco Gabbiadini, he played the perfect role as the leader of the line.
The 23-year-old arrived from Ajax in a deal worth up to £21.5m, and despite scoring just six goals in 25 Premier League appearances, the Dutchman offers much more than just getting in front of goal.
Perhaps his versatile attacking play is what attracted Bayern Munich to him, with Football Transfers reporting that the Wearsiders will seek a club-record sale should he move to the German giants this summer – or another suitor.
The figure would have to come in at something over £34m.
While the sale of such a valuable attacking weapon would require a big cash change, Sunderland already have the next type of striker brewing in the academy – and it’s the likes of Le Bris.
Academy buzz could be Sunderland’s new Brobbey
Sunderland have a number of attackers who would be keen to fill the void left by Brobbey’s potential sale. However, Wilson Isidor has recommended cheating this season, while Eliezer Mayenda, 20, has not played this season.
But in young Finn Geragusian, Sunderland may have a replacement, with Le Bris already firmly behind the Armenia international.
Geragusian, 18, “stood out at the academy”, according to journalist Josh Bunting, scoring 28 goals and providing 16 assists in 75 games for the Black Cats’ promotion teams.
But to make his first team debut, the youngster was named as an unused substitute in Sunderland’s FA Cup fifth round defeat in League One at Port Vale.
A natural born athlete, he has played in a number of attacking positions, but Geragusian is at his best when he’s down the middle, combining physicality and an innate desire to score goals. That ability to dribble effectively shows the potential of having a star on the floor, especially when Sunderland are in such good nick.
Having been involved in the formation of the Armenian national team, Le Bris praised the star’s progress, confirming that he has started to join the first team sessions.
“He has had a few training sessions with us and I appreciate his profile,” said the manager. “He is a good boy and well connected to the club and the region.”
Geragusian may not be ready to lead the line in the Premier League every week, but he certainly has the potential to be the mainstay of Le Bris’ setup.
The manager really likes him, and if Brobbey leaves, Geragusian will no doubt be looked at as plans are put together to replace him.
Le Bris may have just signed Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland
Sunderland has discovered a number of top-class stars in the Premier League this season.
