There’s a lot to like about Sunderland right now.
Sunderland certainly have their critics. But the club also has also done a lot of good work in the past few years.
Under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland firstly got out of League One after a tough four-year spell, then going on to reach the Championship play-offs in their first season back.
Last season’s 16th place finish was disappointing. But the Black Cats have built a first-team squad full of quality, full of potential, and full of value.
Kristjaan Speakman deserves praise for putting together this current crop of players with several valued at or above the £20million mark.
Leeds United target Jack Clarke is the standout, and he could net Sunderland £25million if he’s sold this summer.
Others include Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, and Jobe Bellingham.
Bellingham, who recently signed a new Sunderland deal, can often prove divisive among Sunderland fans but the majority rate him highly.
Bellingham has had Premier League interest this summer as well, with £20million valuations thrown around.
He continues to impress, and the former Birmingham City man is on course to smash a long-standing Championship record with Sunderland.
Jobe Bellingham on course to smash Championship appearances record
So far, Bellingham has 70 Championship appearances to his name, with 45 of those coming last season.
Crystal Palace man Will Hughes is the only player to have played 100 Championship appearances before the age of 20, though Bellingham is currently on course to smash that record this season.
Hughes made his 100th Championship appearance midway through the 2014/15 season with Derby County.
And after Ryan Sessegnon and former Sunderland man Connor Wickham, Bellingham is the third-youngest player to make 50 Championship appearances.
What Sunderland need to do to get Jobe Bellingham to the next level
At times last season, Bellingham struggled. He played a lot of football and in numerous positions too.
Now with more midfielders in at the Stadium of Light, and then should a striker arrive, Bellingham will be able to hone in on his midfield role and hopefully get some vital rest every so often.
For Sunderland, they simply need to keep showing faith in him.
He made huge strides in his progression last season and with another season of Championship football under his belt, he could start to become a really top player in the second tier.
There’s a sense that this campaign could really make the Englishman, who has a very high ceiling for potential.
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