Gary O’Neil hails Sunderland rise but warns Ipswich are ready for Premier League opener | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Gary O’Neil praised Sunderland’s rapid ascent to Europa League level but cautioned that Ipswich intend to be in and amongst them on Saturday.

Sunderland visit Portman Road for the first match of the new Premier League season, which will also be O’Neil’s first competitive game in charge.

Sunderland’s seventh-place finish last season secured Europa League football alongside AC Milan, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen. It follows their return to the top flight a year earlier, when Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey were among the arrivals.

Ipswich have rebuilt after going up as Championship runners-up. The additions of Strasbourg duo Abdoul Ouatarra and Julio Enciso this week have reportedly taken spending to around £150m, offset by sales of George Hirst, Harry Clarke and Arijant Muric.

O’Neil admires Sunderland’s recruitment and depth, highlighting Isidor and Brobbey up front with Le Fee and Diarra as creators, but believes Ipswich can cause problems and feels his group are in a good moment.

He said the heavy outlay is designed to give Ipswich the best chance to compete, yet stressed that spending does not guarantee anything, adding that the core of the squad, the club, Portman Road and the supporters will matter more.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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