Sunderland Premier League Squad 2025/26: Full Overview

The potential return of Sunderland AFC to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season would mark a significant milestone in the club’s storied history. After a period in the Championship and a harrowing double relegation that saw the Black Cats drop to League One in 2018, the squad that has earned promotion under the lights of the Stadium of Light represents a blend of resilience, academy development, and strategic recruitment. This overview examines every layer of the first-team squad, from the goalkeeping department to the forward line, with a focus on the players who would carry the burden of Premier League survival.

Goalkeepers: Stability and Emerging Talent

The goalkeeping unit for Sunderland’s potential Premier League campaign is built around a core of experience and youthful promise. The undisputed number one, Anthony Patterson, has been a constant presence between the posts since breaking into the first team during the League One promotion season. His shot-stopping reliability and command of the penalty area have made him a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light. Patterson’s distribution, particularly his ability to launch quick counter-attacks, has improved markedly under the current coaching staff, and he has amassed significant senior appearances for the club.

Behind Patterson, the club has retained Nathan Bishop as a dependable backup. Bishop, who joined from Manchester United, provides solid cover and has experience in the Championship. The third-choice slot is occupied by academy graduate Adam Richardson, who impressed during pre-season friendlies. Richardson’s development through the Sunderland Academy reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing local talent, a tradition that dates back to the era of Roker Park.

The goalkeeping department’s primary challenge in the Premier League would be adapting to the higher volume of shots and the quality of finishing they would face. Patterson’s save percentage in the Championship was among the best in the division, but the step up in class requires consistent decision-making under pressure.

Defenders: A Blend of Experience and Pace

Sunderland’s defensive line has been reconstructed to handle the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League. The central defensive partnership is likely to feature Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien, two players who embody the club’s fighting spirit. Ballard, a Northern Ireland international, brings aerial dominance and composure on the ball, while O’Nien’s versatility and leadership have made him a key figure in the dressing room. O’Nien, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, has been a constant presence since the club’s League One days, and his experience of the Tyne-Wear Derby adds invaluable emotional maturity.

The full-back positions are occupied by Trai Hume on the right and Dennis Cirkin on the left. Hume, another Northern Ireland international, has developed into one of the Championship’s most consistent right-backs, combining defensive solidity with overlapping runs. Cirkin, a product of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, has found a home at Sunderland, offering pace and crossing ability from the left flank. The depth at full-back includes Niall Huggins, who provides cover on both sides, and Aji Alese, a versatile defender capable of playing centrally or on the left.

The defensive unit’s primary risk lies in the step up in pace and movement of Premier League attackers. Ballard and O’Nien’s lack of top-flight experience could be exposed against elite forwards, particularly in transitions. The full-backs, however, offer the athleticism needed to cope with wide threats, and Cirkin’s recovery speed would be tested against the league’s quickest wingers.

Midfielders: Engine Room and Creativity

The midfield is the area where Sunderland’s squad depth is most pronounced, with a mix of ball-winning energy and technical quality. The defensive midfield role is anchored by Dan Neil, the club captain and a product of the Sunderland Academy. Neil’s range of passing and ability to dictate tempo have been central to Sunderland’s possession-based approach. His partnership with Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, has been a highlight of the 2024/25 Championship campaign. Jobe, who joined from Birmingham City, offers box-to-box dynamism, goal threat, and an eye for a through ball.

Further forward, Patrick Roberts provides flair and creativity from the right side of midfield. Roberts, a former Manchester City and Celtic winger, has rediscovered his best form at Sunderland, using his dribbling and close control to unlock defences. On the left, Jack Clarke has been a standout performer of the squad, contributing goals and assists in the Championship. Clarke’s pace and direct running make him a constant threat, and his ability to cut inside onto his right foot has drawn comparisons to Premier League wingers.

The midfield’s strength lies in its balance: Neil and Ekwah provide defensive cover, while Jobe Bellingham and Clarke offer attacking impetus. However, the squad lacks a proven Premier League-level playmaker, and Roberts’ injury history is a concern. The reliance on Clarke for creativity and goals means that if he suffers a dip in form or fitness, the midfield could struggle to break down well-organised defences.

Forwards: The Goal-Scoring Burden

Sunderland’s forward line is led by Ross Stewart, the Scottish striker who returned from a long-term Achilles injury. Stewart’s hold-up play, aerial ability, and finishing make him a focal point for the attack. His partnership with Clarke and Roberts has been productive, but his fitness remains a key variable. Behind Stewart, the club has added depth through the signing of Nazariy Rusyn, a Ukrainian international who joined from Zorya Luhansk. Rusyn offers mobility and a different profile, capable of playing as a lone striker or in a two-man partnership.

The supporting forward options include Amad Diallo, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the Championship. Diallo’s dribbling and creativity add another dimension, but his consistency is still developing. The academy product Chris Rigg, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder, has also broken into the first team, making substitute appearances in the Championship. Rigg’s inclusion highlights Sunderland’s commitment to youth, a thread that runs through the club’s identity from the days of the Sunderland District & Teachers Association FC.

The forward line’s primary risk is the dependency on Stewart’s fitness. If he suffers another injury, the burden falls on Rusyn, who is still adapting to English football, and Diallo, who lacks the physical presence to lead the line. The club’s ability to score goals in the Premier League would likely determine their survival prospects.

Tactical Shape and Formation

Under the current management, Sunderland has predominantly operated in a formation with Neil and Ekwah shielding the back four, Jobe Bellingham as an advanced playmaker, and Clarke and Roberts providing width. The system relies on quick transitions and exploiting space in behind opposition defences. In possession, the full-backs push high, creating overloads in wide areas, while the central midfielders rotate to maintain passing angles.

The tactical challenge in the Premier League would be adapting to opponents who press more aggressively and possess superior technical quality. Sunderland’s defence would face more sustained pressure, requiring the midfield to provide better protection. The team’s ability to maintain possession under pressure would be tested, particularly away from home at venues like Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

Squad Depth and Key Risks

The squad depth is a concern, particularly in central defence and up front. If Ballard or O’Nien suffers an injury, the next options are Alese, who has limited Championship experience, or a midfield player filling in. Similarly, the forward line lacks a proven Premier League scorer beyond Stewart. The midfield, however, offers the most depth, with Ekwah and Embleton capable of stepping in.

The club’s reliance on academy graduates—Neil, Patterson, Rigg, and Huggins—reflects a broader strategy of developing talent rather than spending heavily in the transfer market. This approach has been shaped by the financial realities of the post-relegation years, but it also carries risks. Young players may struggle with the intensity of a Premier League season, particularly during the winter months when injuries and fatigue accumulate.

Conclusion: A Squad Built for the Fight

Sunderland’s potential 2025/26 Premier League squad is a testament to the club’s resilience and identity. It is a group that has risen from the depths of League One, united by a shared experience of adversity and a deep connection to the fanbase. The squad blends experienced Championship performers with promising academy products, but it lacks the Premier League experience that many of their rivals possess.

The key to survival would be maintaining the defensive solidity that earned promotion, while finding enough goals from Clarke, Stewart, and Jobe Bellingham to compete. The midfield engine room, anchored by Neil and powered by Jobe, would need to control games against superior opposition. The fan culture at the Stadium of Light, one of the most passionate in English football, would provide a crucial twelfth man, particularly in the Tyne-Wear Derby against Newcastle United.

For a deeper look at the squad’s market value and wage structure, see our Sunderland Squad Cost 2025/26 analysis. For details on set-piece specialists, visit Sunderland Penalty Takers 2025/26. And for individual player profiles, explore the Players and Squad Profiles hub.