Régis Le Bris outlines Sunderland transfer needs for Europa League campaign | OneFootball

“We’ll need three or four more consistent players in different positions, so that we can manage the schedule,” said Régis Le Bris.

“It’s going to be different because, on average, a team who starts in Europe is supposed to lose 10 points in the league. So it’s a big challenge.” He was speaking to The Telegraph.

“And it’s clear, we need to recover quickly, we need to prepare quickly, we need to debrief quickly. So it’s going to be challenging. But it’s not boring, and everybody should be excited.”

The Black Cats clinched European qualification on the final day against Chelsea, finishing seventh in their first season back in the top flight. It will be the club’s first European campaign since 1973-74, and only their fifth top-10 top-flight finish in 70 years.

Next season brings a heavier schedule, with at least eight Europa League fixtures alongside the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Last summer more than a dozen signings proved pivotal, and the focus now is to add quality without unsettling the culture and momentum.

Sunderland are due back for pre-season in early July, with a first friendly at York City on Saturday 18 July. They will then travel to the United States to face Liverpool, Leeds United and Wrexham, return to Europe for a double-header with RC Lens, and finish at home to Stade Rennais on Saturday 15 August, one week before the 2026-27 Premier League begins.

Source: Sunderland Echo