Sunderland surprised many with their impressive nine new signings in the summer transfer window, defying expectations for the Black Cats. Initially, only five players were brought in under Regis Le Bris’ leadership following his appointment in June. However, deadline day saw four additional signings, providing much-needed depth to the squad for the season.
The impact of Sunderland’s summer recruits has been evident, with Le Bris playing a key role in their success. Despite this, some players like Milan Aleksic have yet to make an appearance due to injury or being unable to secure a spot in the starting lineup. Salis Abdul Samed, in particular, could see his loan deal cut short in January if he doesn’t recover from his pre-existing injury soon.
Reports suggest that Samed may return to RC Lens earlier than expected to receive more playing time. With a crowded midfield at Sunderland, players like Samed, Abdullah Ba, and Adil Aouchiche could face potential exits in January to make way for new additions. However, Speakman will need to balance squad depth with keeping Le Bris well-equipped for the remainder of the season.