After the promise of their first season back in the Championship, 2023/24 has been a rather sobering campaign for the Black Cats.

With this disappointment comes the early opportunity to focus their attention on the transfer market, and an out-of-contract striker at Brighton could provide the perfect opportunity for Sunderland to bring in an experienced head.

A youthful strategy for Sunderland

Sunderland, have been a side epitomised by youth this season.

From their transfer strategy to their interim coach, they’re undeniably an inexperienced team that have the ability, but can often underperform due to the inconsistency of a young side.

Despite the need for an experienced head, Sunderland’s owners have continuously poured money into signing players that have the potential of being future superstars.

Aside from 29-year-old Bradley Dack, Sunderland have signed thirteen players since June 2023 and all of them are aged under 24.

For some, such as Jobe Bellingham, they have been a massive hit and are already commanding a higher transfer fee than when bought during the summer, but players such as Mason Burstow or Jenson Seelt have had a disappointing season in the North East.

For modern clubs that don’t yet have the financial muscle to wrestle with those in the Premier League, this method of signing and developing young players before selling them on for a high fee, sustains their clubs sufficiently.

In Sunderland’s case, a blend of this ideology and more experienced players could be the perfect package and may provide them with the combination they need to get themselves back on track.

Experienced Welbeck can bring firepower

Danny Welbeck is a name synonymous with English football fans, having played for Man United, Arsenal, Watford, Sunderland and now Brighton.

Alongside this, he boasts a record of 16 goals in 42 games for his national side, having last been capped for the team in 2018 under Gareth Southgate.

But, with the 33-year-old out of contract at the Amex this summer, there is an opportunity for Sunderland to sneak in and offer the two-time FA Cup winner a deal at the Stadium of Light.

For Welbeck, this could provide the opportunity to be the main man in a team that will be vying for promotion.

Throughout his career, he has often had to play second fiddle and this has led to only three 10 plus goal seasons since his debut at Manchester United in 2008.

The chance for regular game time, though, could spark the Englishman to life and a drop-down to the Championship would almost certainly see a massive boost to his goal tally.

For Sunderland, this would be the perfect fit, this season has largely been marred by their complete lack of focal point up-front. With very few strikers currently in their squad and Chelsea loanee, Burstow heading back to Stamford Bridge, the opportunity to sign Welbeck would provide that, alongside freeing up the promising Bellingham, who has had the thankless task of playing in the false nine in recent weeks.

Danny Welbeck career stats

Welbeck the mentor at Brighton

In addition to his undoubted qualities on the pitch, Welbeck has had a large part to play off it in helping Brighton’s young team fulfill their abilities.

Speaking to The Mirror about his role, he said: “I’m always there for every single player that steps inside that dressing room to let them know what it means to play with this group. I’m always there for everyone.”

For a Sunderland team with an average age of just 22.8, he would clearly be a top role model to have around the dressing room and could significantly help in the development of the young prospects at the club.

Ambition from the Black Cats

Yes, Sunderland have to show ambition to try and make their way back to the Premier League, but is Danny Welbeck a step too far?

When his deal expires in June, you feel the ex-Carrington academy star will have a lot of suitors from not only the Championship but the Premier League. With a weekly salary currently standing at £52,000 and interim manager Mike Dodds’ highest paid star on just under £17,000, Welbeck would likely have to take a significant wage reduction.

Along with this, Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi recently stated this to The Argus about Welbeck: “I hope the club can extend his contract because he is still a great player, and he is important in the dressing room.”

Seemingly the summer will bring a fight over who can attain the services of Welbeck.

Should Sunderland secure the move, they will be in a much stronger position, not only to develop their players but in having a striker who will provide the goods.

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