After a record summer spending spree and a statement win over Chelsea, the Black Cats are off to their best start since 1999-2000 through nine matches.
When Championship clubs receive Premier League promotion, there’s a heavy expectation they’ll quickly find themselves stuck in the relegation zone, hoping to taste mid-table success by the Festive Fixtures. Through Matchweek 9, that hasn’t been the case for Sunderland. And given how they’re performing, they might give England’s powerhouse clubs a run for Champions League or Europa League qualification.
Some doubters might scoff at this argument, but Sunderland are worth keeping a close eye on over the next few weeks. A little silent for the first several matches, competitors had reason to take note after Saturday’s statement win against Chelsea. After Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring for the Blues in the fourth minute, Wilson Isidor capitalized on a long throw in the 22nd minute to level the Black Cats. Just when it felt like the two sides would share a point each, a wide-open Chemsdine Talbi secured the winner three minutes into stoppage time, keeping Sunderland in the top four entering this weekend. With 17 points, this is their best start in the Premier League since the 1999-2000 season.
Knowing it would be competing against elite talent this season, Sunderland, like any other newly-promoted club, spent the summer overhauling its lineup. We’re not talking a striker here and a left-back there. Sunderland spent £161.7 million ($213.7 million) on transfers this summer to acquire 15 players — almost £20 million more than any other promoted Premier League club in history.
Among those looking to keep the team well above relegation threats are goal-scorer Talbi, 22-year-old keeper Robin Roefs, and their marquee signing, Granit Xhaka. The 32-year-old Swiss international joins Sunderland after an impressive two-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and helped the club set a 51-game unbeaten record. Having previously spent seven seasons at Arsenal with nearly 300 appearances, captaining the side and winning the FA Cup, Xhaka now has the captain’s armband at Sunderland for the season, well deserved for the veteran.
Sunderland’s big summer spend dwarfs the previous record set by Nottingham Forest, who spent £142 million following their promotion in 2022 (money well spent, as they’re still playing top-flight football). Only a handful of promoted sides have ever broken the £100 million threshold, with Aston Villa standing out after their £127 million payout in 2019. The scale of Sunderland’s investment signals serious intent not just to survive in the Premier League, but to compete immediately, as shown in the first nine matches. It also points to a broader trend of promoted clubs increasingly backing their squads with top-tier spending in an era where staying up often requires big financial commitments.
Subscribe for the biggest stories in the business of sports and entertainment, daily.
This year, the Premier League has been all about physicality, and Sunderland is thriving under new expectations and added pressure. Their advantage of towering players over six feet makes them a nightmare from set-pieces — only four sides have scored more headed goals. Sunderland are proving that in a league that’s getting bigger, faster, and tougher, being strong and dominant in the air can make all the difference.
In addition to Chelsea, Sunderland have already faced heavyweight Manchester United, losing 2-0 to the Red Devils at Old Trafford. After hosting Everton this weekend, what comes next for Régis Le Bris is a test of perseverance: on the road at Arsenal, followed by Fulham before ending November at home against current second-place Bournemouth. As long as they play to their own strengths of attacking football while maintaining a disciplined defense when it comes to set pieces, there’s a real chance the Black Cats will not only make a fair case for retaining their Premier League status, but even make a run for European play next season.
Read More:
Oz Pearlman Will Never Forget His Viral ‘Hard Knocks’ Moment with Aaron Rodgers & the Jets
Austin Reaves’ Latest Play Proves He’s Outgrown His Lakers Role
From Comments to Conversations: How Manychat Became a Creator Essential
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Practice Status Faces Heightened Scrutiny
On Record: Miguel Reflects on His Evolution from ‘Adorn’ to ‘CAOS’
