The 2026/27 Premier League season has arrived, and Sunderland are not ready.
That said, it feels like Regis Le Bris‘ side are going to have to embrace an underdog mentality once again. Despite finishing seventh upon their return from the Championship last season, opening the doorway into Europa League competition, many pre-season predictors suggest that Sunderland are at the start of a season of struggle.
Sunderland have completed a £32m deal for left-back Dayann Methalie, arriving from Toulouse, with a free transfer for Thomas Meunier also supplying the widths with more experience and dynamism.
This building flurry of late signings has also seen an £8m deal agreed to sign Jules Ahoka from Royal Antwerp in Belgium. The 20-year-old will initially serve as Granit Xhaka’s understudy in the middle of the park.
None of this fixes the Black Cats’ attacking problems, though. Le Bris hopes Catamo has the solution for that one.
How Geny Catamo can fix Sunderland
Catamo, 25, has been one of Sunderland’s top targets throughout the summer transfer window. He has a £51m release clause, and Sporting CP are standing firm on that one.
Described as “the king of Lisbon” and an “incredible” winger by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 43-time Mozambique international is a fearsome presence, flying down the right flank and powering his way into the danger area. For Sporting, he has made quite the impact, scoring 21 goals and providing 17 assists, winning back-to-back Liga Portugal titles.
The 5 foot 7 speedster is explosive and dynamic, winning four duels per game in the league last term. This season, across two opening fixtures, he has registered two assists.
It has to be said, though, Sunderland lacked a fair bit of creative sparkle last season, and while Catamo will help raise the bar in that regard, he could do with some further support himself.
Sunderland in late-window move for Catamo partner
Sunderland have left it late in the transfer market this summer, but it’s been a strange window for clubs and agents to navigate – and it’s good to note that Le Bris has retained the core of his outfit, fending off Chelsea interest in skipper Xhaka.
Catamo would indeed need support in attack this season, though, and according to Ontheminute.com, Sunderland have joined Brentford and Ipswich Town in the race to sign Freiburg attacker Derry Scherhant, who has been valued at £15m. It doesn’t appear that any of the suitors from the Premier League have made a formal approach just yet, but the Black Cats are considering a move.
He’s a work in progress, but the 22-year-old German boasts a direct attacking style that could be exactly what Sunderland need to add a dimension or two in attack this year. He only started 12 times in the Bundesliga last season, but he scored five goals, missing just two big chances.
Sunderland need more creativity, but playmakers such as Enzo Le Fee and Xhaka with his deep surgical passes need fast, furious wingers such as Scherhant and Catamo to serve as clinical outlets from wide, arcing inward and striking on goal.
|
Derry Scherhant – Career Stats by Position |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
Centre-forward |
80 |
31 + 14 |
|
Left winger |
80 |
16 + 8 |
|
Right winger |
15 |
3 + 0 |
|
Attacking midfield |
2 |
0 + 0 |
The fact that the two-cap Germany U21 star has played plenty of football as a centre-forward bodes well for his potential at the Stadium of Light. He knows how to score a goal, and in that, could mirror Catamo’s impact on the alternate flank.
In fact, given that Sunderland have already placed an emphasis on signing full-backs on both sides, we could see something of a revolution out wide for the Wearsiders, who could tweak their offensive style while maintaining Brian Brobbey’s position as an all-consuming focal point in the box.
Having already spoken of his excitement to play European football with defeated Europa League finalists Freiburg last season, Scherhant now has the chance to continue his promising career over in the Premier League with Sunderland, a club on the up and a squad in need of his explosive attacking qualities.
His versatile nature could pay off big time for Le Bris, allowing Catamo to become a superstar down the right flank and aligning him with a clinical attacking partner.
