Fan Letters: “If you want Dion Sanderson, just pay the £3 million” says Sunderland fan

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Dear Roker Report,

After reading earlier reports about whether to be patient or frustrated about the lack of new signings, I was wondering about how many new players do we actually need. We released 7, 3 loanees returned to their parent clubs, looks like Charlie Wyke and George Dobson are about to depart. Assuming Denver, Aiden and Luke all stay, that is still 12 players down on 1st team numbers. Are we really expecting to sign 12 new players?

I suppose Elliot Embleton is an addition and possibly 2 U23’s may step up. That still leaves 9 new additions. We will have our work cut out to get 9 quality players. I think we will sign 5 or six which will leave us in the same position as last season if injuries strike ( which they invariably will)

Alan Garnham

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Thanks for your letter, Alan. I think there might be more than two U23s stepping up this season, and the return from injury of Arbenit Xhemajli and Jordan Willis will be important too. But yes, I can see us bringing in at least a half a dozen players in the next few weeks, nine isn’t out of the question - Johnson and Speakman want to build a first-team squad that reflects the new football philosophy they’ve talked about implementing.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

Transfers. If you want Dion Sanderson, just pay the £3 million. And stop waiting to get what you need. Just get it done please!

Brian Kirtley

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Cheers for your thoughts on this, Brian. We’ve got to be sensible about our spending, but I can see Dion Sanderson playing at the very highest level and therefore the chances of making a profit, even on a £3m fee, would be pretty high. But they we’re still gambling on him not getting an injury and his development continuing apace.

The recruitment team will, I expect, know what they’re looking for in our back line and the squad more generally, and they’ll have a budget for the whole summer.

This, more than our sentimental attachment to a particular player, will be what determines our transfer business.

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Dear Roker Report,

I can only claim 65 years, but agree with Tom, usually end up with the dregs that are left and even then we pay over the odds.

Joe

Ed’s Note [Rich]: Every summer we go through this, Joe - a nervous wait for announcements, supporters getting jumpy and claiming every player who signs for a rival would have been the one to do it for us. You’re spot on that, in the past, we’ve often left it far too late in the summer (or winter) to bring in new arrivals, but personally I’m happy to wait ‘til the Euros are over before I start worrying too much about this window.

The impression we’re given by the manager and the Sporting Director is that there are recruitment plans there to be executed, and the end of the contract period yesterday will probably open the door to a few more deals in the next few days.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images