The Black Cats boss has made it clear: he needs a squad of “almost 20” players to handle the demands of two competitions, and he’s not panicking.
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has laid down the gauntlet as his side prepare for a historic season that will see the Black Cats compete in Europe for the first time in over 50 years while also battling the rigours of the Premier League . The Frenchman, speaking after his team’s dominant 5-1 pre-season victory over York City, stressed that building a squad capable of handling both competitions is the club’s top priority .
The Challenge: Premier League and Europa League
Le Bris’s comments come as Sunderland prepare for a season unlike any they have faced in decades. The club secured Europa League qualification with a dramatic seventh-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League . It marks only the second time in Sunderland’s history that they have qualified for a major European competition, and the first since the 1973-74 campaign .
But with that achievement comes a gruelling schedule. As Le Bris noted, the demands are immense: Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup commitments all packed into a relentless season. Statistics show that teams competing in Europe typically drop an average of 10 points in the Premier League as a result of the added workload .
“It’s important to build a squad ready for both competitions,” Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle after the pre-season friendly . “First of all, the Premier League is going to be our main target as usual, and after that it’s important to strengthen the group with two or three, four maybe, core players I would say to strengthen the foundations.”
The 20-Man Squad Vision
Le Bris has a clear vision for how he wants to navigate the congested fixture list. He revealed his blueprint for a first-team squad of around 20 senior players to manage the workload effectively .
“After that, we need a full group of almost 20 to be able to manage every competition,” he explained . That number is significant because, while last summer saw the club sign 14 new players to overhaul the squad, this summer requires a more targeted approach .
“It’s a bit different this summer,” Le Bris acknowledged . “Last season, we had to sign 14 new players and this time we’ll probably go for six or seven. It’s half of the job we’ve done last season, so it’s going to be different. More precise, which is good because we have a strong foundation.”
The Enzo Le Fée Revelation
One of the key factors in Sunderland’s strong finish to last season was the switch of Enzo Le Fée into a central attacking midfield role. Le Bris has confirmed that this will be Le Fée’s position going forward .
“Yeah, Enzo, I think he has found his position on the pitch,” Le Bris said after Le Fée scored twice in the pre-season friendly . “When he plays central with freedom in this three-midfield structure, he’s really good and really positive. And now with the knowledge of the club, his teammates, he’s getting better and better.”
Squad Depth Already in Place
Despite the need for additional reinforcements, Le Bris’s comments suggest he is confident in the foundation already built. The club’s recruitment last summer was ambitious and ultimately successful, with more than a dozen arrivals becoming key figures in Sunderland’s historic campaign . Players like Robin Roefs, Omar Alderete, Granit Xhaka, and Brian Brobbey inspired the team to a seventh-place finish .
The squad also boasts a surprising amount of European experience. A total of 13 players have racked up a combined 366 appearances in European competitions across their careers . This experience could prove invaluable as the club ventures into unfamiliar territory.
However, Sunderland icon Kevin Phillips has urged the club to reinforce their attacking options, particularly with another striker and winger .
“I think, in terms of positions, I’d like to see another striker,” Phillips said exclusively to The Echo . “I think most fans up here in the North East would like to see another striker challenging Brobbey and Isidor. So yeah, that’s certainly an area that I think needs to be looked at.”
A “Very Clever Strategy” Involving the U21s
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has praised Sunderland’s approach, suggesting they will integrate U21 players into the Europa League campaign. He called it a “very clever strategy” that will save money while giving young talent valuable experience . Wyness said: “I trust the manager there who spots talent, and I think they feel that the U21s, while they may not just be fully ready for Europe, certainly the experience will help them a lot” . He acknowledged that this might mean Sunderland don’t go deep in Europe, but prioritising the Premier League seems to be the right call .
The Transfer Market: Patience is Key
Le Bris is not panicking about the transfer market’s slow pace. He emphasised the importance of making the right decisions rather than rushing into signings .
“I’m never relaxed, I don’t know this word,” he joked . “But… it’s better to wait and to take the right decision rather than rushing anything.”
A Season of Ambition and Challenge
As the countdown to the new season continues, the message from Le Bris is clear: this is a moment to embrace, not fear. Sunderland’s Europa League campaign will feature at least eight fixtures against some of Europe’s biggest names, including AC Milan and Juventus, while the Premier League remains the primary focus .
“We’ll go through this pre-season with different issues and dynamics to manage,” Le Bris said . “We don’t want to rush the game time for our players. And for the players who experienced the World Cup, we’ll have to build the first layers without this game time at the beginning.”
“It’s challenging,” he added . “But it’s not boring, and everybody should be excited.”
For Sunderland fans, that excitement is already building. The Black Cats are back where they belong – and this time, they’re ready for Europe.
What do you think about Régis Le Bris’s squad plan? Should Sunderland prioritise the Premier League or go for glory in the Europa League? Drop a comment below or tweet us – we’ll feature the best takes in our next update.
