Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has rated the club's summer transfer business an 8 out of 10, praising its precision but noting a missing piece. Phillips, speaking exclusively to the Sunderland Echo, said the only disappointment was the failure to add another striker to the squad.
This assessment comes as Sunderland sit 12th in the Premier League with three points from their opening two matches, a win and a loss. They have scored and conceded two goals so far this season, leaving them three points behind early leaders Manchester City.
Kevin Phillips said the club was very deliberate in its approach to the summer window. "I think they were very precise in what they wanted," Phillips said. "They identified the areas and the positions that they wanted to strengthen in." He highlighted the six senior signings made, including the deadline-day arrival of Malick Fofana from Lyon for an initial fee around £25.7 million. Other notable additions were Dayann Méthalie from Toulouse and the free transfer of experienced defender Thomas Meunier from Lille.
Phillips gave the overall business a strong rating but pointed to one clear gap. "I think probably the only one slightly disappointing, I would say, is not being able to bring another striker to the football club," he stated. He mentioned that with only Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor as recognised strikers, and new signing Juan Riquelme Angulo seen as more of a wide player, the squad could be light in that area.
Sunderland were active throughout the window, securing six first-team players. The recruitment drive began with the acquisition of Thomas Meunier on a free transfer, bringing top-level experience to the defence. A significant investment was made in Dayann Méthalie, with the deal from Toulouse potentially rising with add-ons. Jules Ahoka arrived from Royal Antwerp.
The club also secured Kevin Danso on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, with an obligation to buy linked to performance-related conditions, widely understood to be Premier League survival. The final day saw two more arrivals: Malick Fofana from Lyon and 18-year-old Ecuadorian striker Juan Riquelme Angulo from Independiente del Valle. Fans can view the full updated squad list on the club's squad page.
The new signings are set to bolster a team that has made a mixed start to the 2026-27 campaign. The additions of Meunier and Danso aim to solidify a defence that has conceded twice, while the creative and attacking influx of Méthalie, Fofana, and Ahoka is intended to boost an attack that has also scored twice. The absence of Habib Diarra, currently sidelined, shows the importance of building squad depth.
Phillips believes the business was strong but could have been nearly perfect. He said if Sunderland had managed to sign an additional centre-forward, he would have rated the window around a 9 out of 10. The current standings show the competitive nature of the league, with every point vital.
Attention now turns to integrating the new signings and preparing for the next challenge. Sunderland's next fixture is a significant test at home against Arsenal, who are currently second in the table, on September 12, 2026. This match will provide an early indicator of how the refreshed squad can compete against the league's elite. Supporters looking ahead can find all upcoming dates on the official fixtures schedule.
