Sunderland’s plans for the new season can now get underway after confirming Regis Le Bris as their new head coach.
The Black Cats have finally concluded their lengthy hunt for Mick Beale’s replacement, concluding that Le Bris is the most suitable option following multiple discussions with various managers.
Although English football isn’t familiar with the Frenchman, the team is hoping that a busy summer will put them in a good position to compete in the play-offs.
Although Sunderland has already begun recruiting during current transfer window, Football League World has examined two smart acquisitions the team should make before August 30th.
Toal, Eoin
Sunderland do already have a few options in the central of defence, with players such as Dan Ballard, Aji Alese, Luke O’Nien, and Jenson Seelt.
But O’Nien is more of a makeshift centre-back, as he plays in a number of different roles for the Black Cats, while Seelt is said to be out injured until the end of the year.
That doesn’t leave Regis Le Bris with many options in that area of the pitch; therefore, the club should look to pursue a move for Bolton Wanderers’ Eoin Toal.
The Northern Irishman has been with the Trotters since July 2022, and his game has come on a lot in those two years.
| Eoin Toal’s stats for Bolton Wanderers | |
|---|---|
| Apps | 82 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Stats as per Transfermarkt (As it stands on the 26th of June) | |
Toal finished last season having played 40 times for Bolton in the league, as well as the three play-off games they played.
The centre-back hasn’t played in the Championship before, but with Bolton failing to get promoted, Sunderland should try to test the club’s resolve and make a move for the 25-year-old.
Toal has recently signed a new contract at the club, but the temptation of playing in the second tier for a team like Sunderland may be too much to turn down.
The defender has really impressed since moving to England, with his defensive abilities on show in every game he plays, while he has also got an eye for goal, as seen with his four in League One last season.
He may lack some experience, but he is only 25, so he fits into the age category that the Black Cats always look for, and given how well he has played in the last two seasons, he would be a good pick up for Sunderland and may be cheaper than potentially other centre-backs.
Lawrence Shankland
Since moving back to Scotland in 2022, Lawrence Shankland, a forward, has been playing for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership in outstanding form.
Shankland scored 28 goals in all competitions by the end of his debut campaign with the Scottish team. In the 2023–2024 season, he followed that up with a score of 31 across all tournaments.
There is no reason why Sunderland shouldn’t be looking at the striker, since teams like Burnley, Hull City, Southampton, and Middlesbrough have all been connected to him in the past.
With a year remaining on his contract, it has been suggested that Hearts may consider offers for the Scottish international.
It’s obvious that Sunderland needs to bolster their forward line this summer after playing without a true star in Jack Clarke’s absence last season. Without him, their attacking lineup will be much more vulnerable.
The club’s top goal this transfer window will probably be to sign a new striker. Shankland hasn’t played in England yet, but he might be a great fit for Sunderland.
The 28-year-old has shown that he can score goals wherever he plays, so if Hearts are ready to let him go, the Black Cats ought to jump at the chance to add someone who can help them with their goalkeeping needs.
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