Even if you are a fan with a surprisingly rich imagination, you probably won’t put newly promoted teams at the forefront when predicting the Premier League rankings for the new season. This competition has always been fiercely competitive, with both...
Even if you are a fan with a surprisingly rich imagination, you probably won’t put newly promoted teams at the forefront when predicting the Premier League rankings for the new season. This competition has always been fiercely competitive, with both the BIG6 giants and many upstarts vying for European qualifications. It is indeed "unfriendly" to new clubs. However, Sunderland "don't think so". After they performed well in the English Championship (second-level competition) last season and were successfully promoted, they took a step further this season and ranked in the top four after 9 rounds. It is really shocking. The Black Cat is really not easy to mess with!
Continue to shine, the Black Cats are not a flash in the pan
As the author said at the beginning, the Premier League is indeed not friendly enough to "new recruits". In the past two seasons, all six newly promoted teams were relegated, and most of them left sadly after suffering multiple defeats. The wealthy and powerful teams had no extra energy to "let go"; the pressure of points is like a shackle, and every time they face a newly promoted team, it is a good opportunity to score three points, and no one will show mercy.
This season, the situation does not seem to have changed. Unlike Leeds United and Burnley, who had a smooth road to promotion, Sunderland only accumulated 76 points in the English Championship (second-level competition) last season, 24 points less than the two teams (both teams had 100 points). The gap is very obvious; in the two rounds of play-offs, they were "lucky" to be promoted by scoring in stoppage time. Therefore, most people are not optimistic about this team - although they have the heritage of an old football club, but times have changed, who will still dwell on those "old stories"?
However, a series of operations by the club's top management and the team's concerted efforts have overturned people's stereotypes. After 9 rounds, with Arsenal firmly at the top of the list, the Manchester City duo back on track, and the red and blue armies having ups and downs but solid points, Sunderland are in the same echelon with them, with 5 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses and 17 points, which is by no means a "blip in the pan".
This is also the club's best start to the Premier League since the 1999/2000 season. Among them, there are also outstanding performances such as a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, and a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. It should be said that they are the "first surprise" of the new season, and they have a good chance of continuing.
So, how did the black cat complete its "counterattack"?
High-level support, the transfer window is stable and ruthless
In the summer transfer window, this newly promoted team is not "ordinary" at all, and even performs "outstanding" than many giants. Generally speaking, upgraded clubs will keep their fundamentals stable, at least, not make major changes in some of their main positions; it’s not that the newly promoted clubs are working behind closed doors, it’s mainly because they are “fearful” that the restructuring will lead to the destruction of the past model and a hasty return to low-level competitions.
However, after holding a meeting to study, Sunderland decided not only to change it but to make a major change. This courage is indeed the capital of their current success. The support from the top is really effective.
Sunderland's "reform" can be described as a huge spender and earth-shaking. In this summer transfer window, they bought a total of 15 new players and spent 161 million pounds in transfer fees. You must know that these 15 people are not promoted from the youth training to make up the numbers like some clubs. They are real transfers.
At that time, many professional media published articles ridiculing the boss of this team for not being familiar with the world and not understanding the "rules" of top-level competitions. Sooner or later, this game would be "finished." But Black Cat was desperate and did not respond to those accusations. In comparison, they have really succeeded. Their steady, accurate and ruthless attitude is admirable.
Sunderland's top management is not stupid and has a lot of money. They have provided capital and plans. An old team with new ones can be said to be both practical and innovative. It can also be seen from the figures that 161 million spent by 15 people is not too much. If you buy an Isaac, you will barely have a few cents left.
Among them, Ajax forward Traore, Getafe defender Aderet, Paris defender Mukiel, Beşiktaş's Masuaku, Atletico Madrid's Reinildo, and Leverkusen midfielder Xhaka can be said to be the team's basic base. These people basically operate in the defense and midfielder positions. Sunderland sized up the situation very carefully and negotiated with them and snatched these long-famous veterans, which also created the style of today's game: stable and consistent anti-counterattack strategy, unanimous approval of ideas.
Especially Xhaka, the value is too high. At that time, the Milan duo arranged for commissioners to contact him many times, hoping to give him a chance to come to Serie A. However, Sunderland came up with their own complete plan to convince Xhaka. Afterwards, the Swiss midfielder clearly stated that although the Black Cats' strength and heritage cannot be compared with the two heroes, it was a thoughtful transfer for the 33-year-old. Coming here seems to be back to the coexistence of opportunities and challenges in his 20s.
Xhaka is not joking when he talks about planning as a solid plan. It is reported that Sunderland's boss is also the youngest ruler of the Premier League, Dreyfus (family assets of 4 billion, born in 1997). Not only is he extremely passionate about football, he has also participated in policy formulation many times. He personally completed the meeting with Xhaka. Although the new boss wanted to be hands-on, he also knew the rules for professionals to be responsible for professional matters. When they came up, they hired Roma director Gisolfi and let him take the lead.
His partner, Sartori, works at BIA Sports Company and is a professional sports architect, helping the young boss complete a lot of support work. Coupled with the support of Pearlman (a well-known local producer in Sunderland and a supporter of the club), which gives them huge space for media cooperation, it will not be difficult to return.
Although it costs a lot to buy new ones, the actual average value is not expensive. For example, Mukiel with 12 million, Xhaka with 15 million, and Adlet with 11.6 million have all completed their upward trend in net worth against the trend.. Under the nourishment of "roots", it is inevitable to bloom and bear fruits.
Conclusion
The Black Cats have caused a lot of heated discussions this season. Their results are indeed very good. It is really not easy for a newly promoted team to reach this position. I can only respect this. Of course, it is still too early to talk about "competing for Champions League qualification" and "overcoming the Manchester City duo". Next, they will encounter challenges from strong teams (Arsenal). Whether they can continue to perform like this is a question mark. However, its upward trend is clear, and the achievements created by the coach, owner, and directors together are real. But don't forget that they have long shouted the slogan of aiming to avoid relegation. If they don't aim high and follow the rules step by step, it won't be too bad after all.
（里濃芃）
