Speakman's strong message on Cats spending, what it means for the future

Kristjaan Speakman says that Sunderland are pleased with their transformative summer transfer window, but insists that they have not taken any risks with the club's long-term future.

- by Phil Smith

It has been one of the most exciting transfer windows in recent memory for Sunderland supporters, with the Black Cats investing an estimated figure of around £150 million to add 14 new players to their squad. It's a level of spending that reflects the huge gap between the Championship and the Premier League, but Sunderland's ambition has been greater than many imagined.

The club's sporting director said a change in approach was inevitable following promotion, but insists that the hierarchy remain conscious of the struggles Sunderland faced the last time they were relegated from the top tier. Their business has been structured to minimise such risks should Sunderland's campaign not go as hoped.

"Look, inheriting the club in the condition we inherited it in, in 2020-2021 season, every decision we've made over the last five years has had that context to it," Speakman said.

"We've always been optimistic, but also pessimistic, if we get this outcome, or this happens, then we just need to make sure we're making the appropriate decisions.

"So, we've done that on every transfer we've ever made, so it's part of the culture and it's ingrained in our system of making decisions. All the transfers we're making, we're never going to put Sunderland in a position where it's going to be detrimental to the future.

"We're all talking about growth, we're talking about being a sustainable and competitive team in the Premier League, so naturally for that to happen, there has to be some changes in terms of how we operate."