Sunderland’s transfer plan should take the Brighton transaction into account. U-Turn: See
In their current campaign, Sunderland has had both achievements and disappointments as a result of their younger signing strategy.
Danny Welbeck, an accomplished striker, might provide Sunderland the firepower and leadership they lack in their pursuit of promotion.
Even if Welbeck’s signing would necessitate financial sacrifices, Sunderland’s youthful team might benefit greatly from his off-field mentoring.
2023–2024 has been a somewhat depressing season for the Black Cats, following the excitement of their first season back in the Championship.
This setback presents an early chance to concentrate on the transfer market, and an expiring striker at Brighton may offer Sunderland the ideal window of opportunity to bring in an experienced leader.
A young approach for Sunderland
This season, Sunderland has been a team embodied by youth.
Undoubtedly, they are a young squad with potential, but because of their inconsistency, they frequently perform below expectations. This is evident in everything from their transfer policy to their temporary coach.
Sunderland’s owners continue to pump money into recruiting players who may become future superstars, even though the team needs an experienced head coach.
for the exception of Bradley Dack, 29, who joined for Sunderland in June 2023, the other thirteen players are all under 24 years old.
While some players, like Jobe Bellingham, have had a tremendous impact and are already fetching a larger transfer cost than when they were first acquired in the summer, others, like Mason Burstow and Jenson Seelt, have struggled in the North East this year.
This strategy of acquiring and developing young players before reselling them at a premium keeps their teams financially viable for contemporary clubs who lack the financial clout to compete with those in the Premier League.
In Sunderland’s situation, a mix of more seasoned players and this philosophy may be the ideal blend and offer them the edge they need to turn things around.
English football fans are familiar with the name Danny Welbeck because he played for Man United, Arsenal, Watford, Sunderland, and Brighton.
In addition, he has scored 16 goals in 42 games for his country, having last received a cap under Gareth Southgate in 2018.
Though the 33-year-old’s contract at the Amex expires this summer, Sunderland has a sneaking opportunity to approach the two-time FA Cup winner about a deal at the Stadium of Light.
This may present Welbeck with the chance to take the lead on a side that will be competing for a promotion.
Since making his Manchester United debut in 2008, he has only had three seasons with ten or more goals due to his often having to play second fiddle throughout his career.
However, the opportunity to play regularly might ignite the Englishman, and a move down to the Championship would almost surely result in a significant increase in his goal total.
This would be a great fit for Sunderland, who have struggled mightily this season due to their total lack of an attacking focal point. They presently have very few strikers in their lineup, and with Chelsea loanee Burstow returning to Stamford Bridge, signing Welbeck would provide them that. It would also free up young Bellingham, who has been forced to play in the false nine in recent weeks.
Career statistics for Danny Welbeck
Brighton’s mentor Welbeck
Apart from his indisputable skills on the field, Welbeck has contributed much off it in enabling Brighton’s youthful squad to reach their potential.
“I’m always there for every single player that steps inside that dressing room to let them know what it means to play with this group,” he stated in an interview with The Mirror regarding his position. I’m here for everyone, always.”
With an average age of just 22.8, he would undoubtedly be a great role model in the locker room for Sunderland and could have a big impact on the development of the team’s young players.
Anxiety among the Black Cats
