July the 1st is finally upon us. The start of Sunderland's pre-season campaign.
It also coincides with Regis Le Bris' official start date at the Academy of Light and preparations for the 2024/25 campaign can finally begin.
The Black Cats have already been active in the transfer market, with Simon Moore joining the Wearsiders after his contract expired at Coventry City. While fellow shot stoppers Nathan Bishop and Alex Bass both departed the club for regular game time, the latter of the duo sealing a permanent move to Notts County.
READ MORE: Lorient's relegation and why Regis Le Bris shouldn't be judged - yet
Could we yet see further movement in Sunderland's goalkeeper department? Time will tell.
Every day this week, we will be taking you through a different area of the squad, looking at their individual contract situations and assessing where Le Bris needs to strengthen his squad.
We'll even throw in a few suggestions of potential names they could look at, just for fun!
Today, we kick things off with the goalkeepers.
Anthony Patterson
Sunderland's number one goalkeeper had another impressive campaign on the banks of the River Wear, even if the Black Cats season was a disappointing one overall.
Manchester City, Sheffield United, Celtic and Liverpool have all been linked with summer moves for Anthony Patterson, who has a reported asking price in the region of £20million. The 24-year-old still has four-years remaining on his Sunderland contract, after signing an extension in September last season.
Patterson is set to become a key component in Le Bris' way of playing at the Stadium of Light. At Lorient, goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo was instrumental in Les Merlus build-up play from the back.
Lorient were the number one ranked side in Ligue 1 for touches inside their own defensive penalty area in both season’s Le Bris was in charge, while also ranking third and first for touches in their own defensive third.
Interestingly, Patterson seems to fit the exact mould of how Le Bris wants his goalkeepers to play. He keeps his average pass length short, and doesn't tend launch passes unnecessarily.
Sunderland have already made it clear that the arrival of Moore is not to replace Patterson, and should an offer come in that meets their asking price, they'll enter the market for a new number one.
Simon Moore
Which brings us nicely onto Sunderland's latest recruit. Moore penned a two-year contract with the Black Cats holding the option of a further year.
At 34-years-old, he brings a wealth of experience having played for both Sheffield United and Coventry City in the Championship, helping the Sky Blues reach the Championship play-off final in 2022/23.
Upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We are really pleased to welcome Simon to our Club. This summer, we felt it was vital to identify and recruit a goalkeeper who is capable of pushing Anthony Patterson daily, and who has additional qualities to training and match environments.
"Simon has a different profile to many players within our group and he is as motivated to push Anthony as he is to help our younger goalkeepers and the wider player group. We are delighted he has joined the Club.”
Academy prospects
Sunderland have enjoyed a conveyor belt of goalkeeping talent from the Academy of Light in recent years and that looks set to continue. Matty Young enjoyed a stellar loan spell with National League North side Darlington last season and looks set for an opportunity to impress in pre-season.
League Two clubs and National League sides have registered an interest in the young shot stopper, with the view to take him on loan for the season. Although highly rated by the Black Cats, the 17-year-old is not yet believed to be ready for exposure to Championship football.
Which leaves fellow Under-21 goalkeeper Adam Richardson as the most likely to fill in as Sunderland's third choice goalkeeper. He's another who's impressed last season, helping Graeme Murty's Under-21's side to the Premier League 2 Play-Off Final, and was on the fringes of the first-team before an injury setback at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
That being said, Richardson, like Young could be sent out on loan to further his development. But, it would be a surprise to see both Young and Richardson leave the club this summer.
READ MORE: Régis Le Bris tactical analysis: What are Sunderland getting
Do Sunderland need to sign a goalkeeper?
Much of this debate depends on the future of Patterson. As things stand, Sunderland look strong in the goalkeeper department and have statistically one of the best shot stoppers in the division.
The Black Cats still have Nathan Bishop on their books, with his loan move to Wycombe Wanderers likely to include a recall clause, should Patterson or Moore pick up injuries at the same time.
If the current number one were to move on this summer, Sunderland will bring in a replacement, regardless of the move to sign Moore.
Who could they sign?
Daniel Iversen has been repeatedly linked with moves to Wearside since the Black Cats returned to the Championship. Having spent last season on loan with Stoke City, it's clear the Leicester City shot stopper has no future at the King Power Stadium.
Whether he would be prepared to go on loan again, is another matter. At the age of 26, he might want a permanent move and a fresh chapter in his career.
Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle is another shot stopper to have been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light.
Unfortunately for the Black Cats, the Latics academy graduate signed a long-term contract, extending his stay at the DW Stadium until the summer of 2028.
Sunderland would have to part with a hefty transfer fee to lure the England youth international to the Stadium of Light, but if Patterson were to move on this summer, they'd be able to reinvest into another highly rated prospect. At this stage, it's a move that's unlikely.
A wildcard option could be the aforementioned Yvon Mvogo, someone Le Bris knows well and as a Swiss international, has plenty of experience.
While it's not always the most accurate representation of a player's value, he has a transfermarkt value of €3million and could be a shrewd addition.
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Lorient's recent relegation could make him available for a cut price fee.
Sunderland have also been linked with young, upcoming Australian shot stopper Robert Cook, who would be a longer-term signing.
At 17-years-old, he's highly rated across the globe and the Black Cats are reportedly set to hold talks later this month.
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