Sunderland

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to tell us what Sunderland need to do in the summer transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Craig: We need strengthening through experience. But particularly experienced players who understand why they are being brought to the club - players who see their role as mentors and coaches for young players. Names like Jordan Henderson or Henderson-like characters are exactly what we need. I think we also need a goalkeeper, centre-forward and cover in full-back positions.

David: Unfortunately, it is going to take more than one transfer window to put a squad together able to be competitive in the Premier League. Arguably, not one of our players is currently ready - though, of course, they may step up again. Priority is probably another goalscorer who is happy to get on the end of crosses and a bit more sharpness and pace in midfield, together with a top left-back. It is also important we continue with the current recruitment model, with perhaps the addition of some experience, like Henderson.

Ed: Would love to see Jamie Vardy . His experience and goalscoring are exactly what the squad needs.

Brian: I'd love to see Henderson back with us as he hasn't had the best of times at Ajax. I also think we need to sign Enzo Le Fee because he's been revolutionary for us since ing us in January from Roma. I hope we put in an offer for Amad Diallo to come back to us. He was brilliant for us in his last spell. I'd like to see us get a better back-up goalkeeper just in case Patterson gets injured.

Nigel: Premier League experience is a must to help build the confidence of the young team. Henderson is mentioned, but we should look to strengthen all areas - Jonny Evans and Aaron Cresswell in defence are both available on frees. Keep Mepham. Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson have Premier League experience with Ipswich and would complement the squad. And , like all clubs, we need a 15-20 goal striker.

Image source, Getty Images

The transfer window opens on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

With Sunderland heading into the Premier League, are there certain players you are desperate for them to sign, or an area of the squad that needs improving? Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority.

And what about sales - who needs to go?

So over to you... what names need bringing in and shipping out?

Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

The BBC's Ask Me Anything team have done all of the research ahead of the announcement detailing next season's Premier League matches.

The fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 and the release will include the weekly schedule of all 380 matches.

The season will begin with a single fixture played on Friday, 15 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all matches will be played at 16:00 BST. There will be 33 weekend rounds of fixtures, plus five midweek rounds.

The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.

Read the full article here

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, could leave Dutch club Ajax and make a stunning return to hometown club Sunderland this summer. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sunderland have been chosen as the Team of the Season by the pundits on the 72+ EFL podcast.

After guiding the Black Cats to promotion via a dramatic play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday, head coach Regis Le Bris was singled out for praise, though he missed out on the Manager of the Season accolade to Charlton's Nathan Jones.

Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: "If you're talking about who has overachieved this season you have to have Regis Le Bris up there because nobody would have had Sunderland getting promoted this season given the model of the club, such a young squad and a manager that was untested in this country. Sensational."

The were in agreement on Sunderland being the team of the season, however, with McAnuff saying: "A young team, looked as though they had run their race, went on a really bad patch of form but regrouped, got themselves together and had a couple of iconic EFL moments down the stretch - Dan Ballard's last minute winner and Tommy Watson's finish in the final."

Lyle Taylor added: "Let's go with Sunderland. They are back at the top table after eight years away and did it in a really interesting and alternative way."

Click here to listen to the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast via BBC Sounds.

Marco Gabbiadini has ed the list of Sunderland pundits pushing for Jordan Henderson to return to his boyhood club following the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

The former striker told BBC Radio Newcastle, "He must be doing okay because he's still in the England squad, isn't he? I haven't seen any film or anything, but he must be doing alright if they're watching him and he's got picked in the next England squad.

"It would be a sort of a fairy tale, wouldn't it? And it does happen sometimes," he added.

"He's been an outstanding player. He's gone on to be one of the best players in the country at times and win the top trophies, so I think he probably would be an asset. It probably goes a little bit against what the club is all about at the moment, but maybe they will make some exceptions for when we get in the top flight."

When asked about realistic options Sunderland could sign this summer, Gabbiadini struggled because of the unknown approach sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will take. Will they continue showing faith in youth, or will Kyril Louis-Dreyfus dig deep into his wealth to try to lure stars to the Stadium of Light?

He said: "I think we might be looking for players if we are going to spend - and this is the big question - someone like Mason Mount at Man United, who they've got such a turnover of players and huge numbers and they're looking to change that again this year.

"He's a player who's got massive potential, I think. Maybe he hasn't fully reached it. Those kinds of players would be great for us."

Sunderland have been the youngest side in the Championship this season and are likely to repeat that feat in the Premier League next season but Gabbiadini would push for some veterans to the ranks.

"Obviously, Mepham's got some Premier League experience. You would think at the back we're not too bad, but I think an influential midfielder and somebody who's a goalscorer, whether that's a 10 or a striker. Obviously we've got Le Fee on a permanent deal now as well."

"I think the lad Delap is decent as well if he wanted to stay in the Premier League, but it looks like he's going to get a shot at one of the big clubs, isn't it?

"We see it with so many young English players. They go to a Chelsea and you don't see them for a couple of years.

"Mason Mount's probably had some injury problems as well, but it's a big group. When you come back from injury, you've got a lot of players in front of you. It does make a lot of sense to me to come to a club where you will start."

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Arguably the most dramatic moment involving the Premier League at the weekend, happened in the Championship playoffs when Sunderland magically gained promotion in the 95th-minute of the final at Wembley.

Tom Watson's fabulous goal may be one of the most lucrative strikes in football history considering the money Sunderland will now bank. Tom could just as likely have seen the keeper read the shot a mere millisecond quicker and Michael Cooper would have tipped it round the post, but the keeper was short by a centimetre. Luck and skill together determining all in an instant.

Another Tom Watson, this time the golfer, holed a chip on the 17th at Pebble beach in the 1982 US Open and it was just as iconic. Had Tom's chip been a centimetre to the left or right and not hit the flag then dropped in, a two putt was almost certain. Jack Nicklaus would have caught him, he might not have become champion and history would have changed.

This is why great sport is irresistible. The skill, the luck and the tiny margins change life courses and produce memories and ions never to be forgotten.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has expressed his joy at being part of the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final thanks to Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner.

After the trophy lift and celebrations, left-back Cirkin returned to the Wembley pitch to reflect on his success.

"I've been here before and it's special," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's really, really special, to take it all in and think about the whole season.

"On a personal note, it's been a tough season off and on the pitch, highs and lows, but there's one job that we had in mind and one purpose and that was the Premier League. I'm just so, so glad I got to be part of it."

Cirkin suffered a wrist fracture in November and another injury then prevented him from taking up an England Under-21 call-up in March. He missed six of Sunderland's last eight games of the regular Championship season.

"Injuries are just a small part of it," he said. "There's a lot that's happened off the pitch. A lot of things I've learned from.

"With my wrist as well, I've been playing with a broken wrist which was not ideal, but I'm glad I could play a part in it because since I ed this club that's the one dream that I had and now it's on to the next and that's stay in there."

The former Tottenham man ed Sunderland in 2021 as a 19-year-old who Jose Mourinho described as a player with "a lot of quality."

Born in Ireland and raised in London, he's quickly learned how important Premier League football is in his new home on Wearside.

"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs," he added.

"I know how much it means, how much it unifies the people and it means a lot to me. When people come up to you, you can just tell in their voice and the way they come up to you, it means so much to them and you can see it. That's the greatest pleasure I can have.

"For my family, for my friends, for the city, to see everyone positive, happy, there's no feeling like it. Back to the Premier League is where this club belongs."

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to this summer.

Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga.

"He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half.

"Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants.

"I can understand the connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."

Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is in for transfer talks with Eintracht Frankfurt. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also interested. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you earlier what you thought of your side's promotion-winning performance on Saturday and, unsurprisingly, it looks like you're feeling pretty pleased with your young squad.

Here is what you had to say:

Martin: Great day yesterday and hopefully the positive feeling will last. Next season may be hard. Careful recruitment will be needed to improve the squad but maintain the ethos.

John: If ever a club deserved to be in the Premier League, it is Sunderland! Phenomenal base, great stadium and top notch training facilities. Real ion all over the club.

Jeff: Greatest night of my 50 years ing SAFC.....cried my eyes out at the final whistle!!! Need a couple of proven Premier players to give it a real go next season!

Craig: This is what Sunderland do: we get written off and ridiculed but slowly, steadily, we keep fighting. The play-off semi and the final were both evidence of that: we should have lost both games but our players (and the fans) wouldn't have it. Hopefully we can do the same next season when we were told we're coming straight back down before we even went up. KTF.

Gary: Amazing to see the club finally back up in Premier League. The fans have been amazing and the was clearly visible on Saturday. The stadium is ready, we just need the investment to enhance the team and keep them up.

Chris: What a great achievement, over the moon. Credit to Regis Le Bris for substitutions that changed the game . We kept going To The End. The whole squad and manager are now legends, Premier League here we come.

Tommy: Not sure we're ready but we'll give it a go.

Alan: Crazy season from such a talented bunch of young players. I knew they had the potential to do it but never in my wildest dreams did I think they would achieve it so soon. Le Bris has done wonders to bond this group together and get them pulling in the right direction. Watch out here we come Prem. Haway the lads.

AJT: Someone tell me there was a camera in the dressing room at half time...

Unbelievable turnaround from the (actual) lads. Working for each other, sticking to the plan, taking the opportunities when they came.

They'll have grown as footballers in those 90 minutes, but they're going to need some help next season. A lot of it.

James: I believed from the moment Brown scored that fluke goal against Leeds that anything was possible with this manager and group of players.

David: After an awful first half where we were definitely second best, the improvement following the substitutions made by Regis Le Bris brought an immediate impact. We simply got stuck in and had a greater sense of urgency. The spirit of everyone, fans and players alike never diminished and when young Tommy Watson beautifully curled in the winner, the crowd erupted and we knew we were home. At last, I'd been at Wembley and seen my side, whom I've ed for 63 years, win! Our fans were fantastic! It was a privilege to be there and I must confess I had a tear or two in my eyes. It's been a painful eight years, but we're back.

Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda hopes he made his family proud in helping the Black Cats win promotion to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old scored a 76th minute equaliser in the Championship play-off final 2-1 victory against Sheffield United. He told BBC Radio Newcastle, "It was a really good time to score especially in that moment of the game.

"After the first half, in the second half we were more confident with the ball. This goal was like a recompense about how we played in the second half, so yeah it was good."

He added: "After the goal we said on the pitch, 'lads we have to keep pushing again, we can win the game.' After that we did it. Tommy was incredible. He was incredible in the second half. Tommy scored the second goal and everybody was really happy about that."

Substitute Tommy Watson's winner was a poetic moment as he's set to leave Regis Le Bris' side this summer to Brighton. The deal was announced before the season finished and some Sunderland ers called for the academy product to not play another minute for the club.

On the other hand, Mayenda has become a fan favourite. Chants of "Oi big man, what's your name">