Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has set out the summer priority as his side prepare to combine Premier League and Europa League duties.
“We’ll need three or four more consistent players in different positions, so that we can manage the schedule,” he told The Telegraph.
“It’s going to be different because, on average, a team who starts in Europe is supposed to lose 10 points in the league.” “So it’s a big challenge.”
“And it’s clear, we need to recover quickly, we need to prepare quickly, we need to debrief quickly.” “So it’s going to be challenging. But it’s not boring, and everybody should be excited.”
The Black Cats clinched Europe on the final day against Chelsea, finishing seventh in the top flight. It is the club’s first European campaign since 1973-74 and only their fifth top-10 finish in 70 years.
They must balance domestic commitments with at least eight Europa League fixtures, alongside the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Last summer brought more than a dozen signings who became key, and the task now is to add quality without unsettling the culture and balance.
Sunderland are due back in early July before a first friendly against York City on Saturday, July 18. They will then tour the United States to face Liverpool, Leeds United and Wrexham, before a European double-header against RC Lens. The final warm-up is at home to Stade Rennais on Saturday, August 15, a week before the 2026-27 Premier League begins.
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