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'I was hopeful after the play-off final that Bellingham would stay'published at 19:37 11 June
19:37 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland player Darren Williams has admitted he was hopeful that Jobe Bellingham would stay at the club after the play-off final.
Bellingham has joined Borussia Dortmund for an initial fee of £27m, and will be involved in the Club World Cup squad for his new side.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Williams said that while he wishes Bellingham all the best in Germany, it would have been good to see him play in the Premier League.
He said: "We brought him in at a low cost and two years later we're making a good amount on him - [but] I'd have love to see him play for us in the Premier League and test himself.
"I've got no qualms - he's been brilliant. He's achieved something with Sunderland. I was hopeful after the final that he would stay, and then the news came about interest from Germany.
"I wish him all the best. It's fantastic money. The club has made good money from the last four players sold."
Gabbiadini names team-mate Gates as most skilled Sunderland player published at 14:56 11 June
14:56 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Marco Gabbiadini and Eric Gates (back) in action together
Throughout Wednesday, we have been revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes are the club's most skilful players ever.
And finally we have reached top spot.
He awards first place to Eric Gates, with whom he forged a formidable strike partnership dubbed the G-force during their time together in the 1980s.
While his time with the club did include a relegation, Gates is still considered one of the cleverest forwards of his time.
"I can remember watching Eric when I wasa kid at a caravan on a black-and-white TV," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. "I was watching him play European football matches [for Ipswich], and then I got to play with him a few years later.
"In an era when pitches weren't great, he wasn't a silky winger, but he had a really clever, deft touch in the way that he played.
"Every time he got the ball, he was always looking to play through people and around people. Defenders didn't know whether he was going to keep it or lay it off, which was also a great skill. He would flick it with his first touch around the corner."
So, there it is, the top five most skilful players in Sunderland's history, according to Gabbiadini.
At number two: Larsson and his 'magic moments'published at 11:56 11 June
11:56 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
Throughout Wednesday, we have been revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes to be the club's most skilful players ever.
Just missing out on top spot is Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson.
Larsson played in the Stadium of Light for six years and earned the reputation of being dependable whilst being lethal from set-pieces. His work ethic, delivery, tactical and positional intelligence were considered amongst the best in the league during his time.
Speaking on BBC Radio, Gabbiadini expanded more on this and praised him as a player who could change the game in an instant.
"Seb Larsson was a quality player and he had that ability to have a magic moment and just see a really good pass. He scored a number of free-kicks as well. When he connected correctly, they were lovely goals.
"I think he was a player that the fans liked, and when he got the ball, he always used it in a clever way. He could see a pass and open up a game. He's one who's up there."
Worked out who the winner is yet? Come back later on Wednesday to find out.
Sessegnon was an 'enigma' published at 10:43 11 June
10:43 11 June
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Throughout Wednesday, we are revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes are the club's most skilful players ever.
Up next in third place is Stephane Sessegnon.
Sessegnon made almost 100 appearances for the Black Cats during his two-and-a-half-year stint at the club after signing from Paris St-Germain in 2011. During that time, he played under three different managers and scored 18 goals.
His spell at Sunderland came to an end following a dispute with then-manager Paulo Di Canio.
Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle that Sessegnon was inconsistent but had the ability to get the supporters on the edge of their seats.
"He was an enigma - some days he could be quiet," Gabbiadini recalled. "I was a little bit down on him as consistency-wise and team-player-wise, I think he lacked a little bit. But he had the ability to have those moments where you went: 'Wow, how does he do that?'
"He did have a good record at Sunderland and at other clubs as well. He had some great moments when he was at the club. "
'Cool as fridges' - Bridges ranks fourth on Gabbiadini's listpublished at 08:53 11 June
08:53 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
Throughout Wednesday, we are revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes are the club's most skilful players ever.
Earlier, striker Billy Hughes was nominated in fifth and the Gabbiadini selects another forward in fourth, awarding it to Michael Bridges, who came through the ranks at the Stadium of the Light.
During his time at Sunderland, fans coined the phrase: "Michael Bridges, cool as fridges."
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said Bridges' greatest quality was to do the unexpected.
"Michael Bridges again was different," said Gabbiadini. "He scored goals differently - he would get into positions where the defenders and the goalkeepers were comfortable and he would flick it with his left foot. Always that kind of thing.
"I know he wasn't with the club for the huge chunk of his career, but I think he was a player the fans still remember very well.
"[This list] has got to be someone who was a little bit different and edgy. Bridges was a player who was respected."
Who are Sunderland's most skilful players ever?published at 08:53 11 June
08:53 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
Throughout Wednesday, we are revealing who Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini believes are the club's most skilful players ever.
In fifth place, its 1960s and 70s legend Billy Hughes.
Hughes was an integral part of the 1973 FA Cup-winning side and Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle the striker brought a different skillset to other forwards of that time:
"People have always talked to me about Billy Hughes.
He was involved in a very successful team, and he is just one of those players who fans really engaged with. He was a little bit different - not a big bustling centre forward, which was the norm in his era.
"He was wave-like, almost like George Best.
"He scored really interesting goals. When you see them, they are really clever and he really used his imagination. For me, that is what defines his skills."
Henderson's experience? Another Le Fee? Fans on replacing Bellinghampublished at 19:27 10 June
19:27 10 June
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We asked for your views on what the impact of Jobe Bellingham's transfer will be, and how you would like the money reinvested at Sunderland.
Here are some of your comments:
Freddie: I would love to see another Enzo le Fee type name linked. Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge or Mohamed Camara from Monaco would be excellent business, sticking to our model of buying young and selling big.
Andrew: It was inevitable Jobe would move on and his comments today show maturity beyond his years. Best wishes to you and your family, Jobe.
Tim: I don't see Sunderland rushing through any deals. I'd much prefer them to secure the right players at the right price. Jordan Henderson would be a great addition, with experience, but not if he is demanding silly wages. I do believe some of our current players will step up a level so a handful of new additions with experience would be great to see.
Colin: Good luck to Jobe. He wants to play at the highest level in the Champions League and we have got a fair price, which I hope will be used to improve the squad!
Graeme: Huge loss to Sunderland, but have total faith in club with replenishing the squad. Best wishes to Jobe (the adopted Mackem)!
'I hope I have made you proud along the way'published at 14:37 10 June
14:37 10 June
Image source, Getty Images
Jobe Bellingham says Sunderland have made him "the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today" as he completes transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
The 19-year-old has joined the Bundesliga side for a Black Cats club record fee of an initial 32m euros (£26.96m) plus 5m euros (£4.2m) in add-ons.
It brings to an end Bellingham's two-year stay at the Stadium of Light, having joined from Birmingham City in 2023. He made 47 appearances in his debut season, followed by 43 in 2024-25 as Premier League promotion was secured.
"It's time for me to say farewell to all the loyal people of Sunderland, who have powered me through two incredible years in red and white," Bellingham told club media.
"Your support, on so many occasions, has completely blown me away, especially in the times of adversity, which we pulled through together. You welcomed me with open arms as a kid leaving home for the first time, and I am proud that our relationship has grown to be so strong.
"I will always represent Wearside in all that I strive to achieve for the rest of my career, wherever that may be. I hope that I have made you proud along the way, and in return, you have made me the player that has reached the heights I find myself at today.
"I will love and remember you fondly for the rest of my life.
The England Under-21 international follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude, who also went to Dortmund before making the move to Real Madrid.
Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: "He has an unrelenting commitment to improvement that only the very best possess, and his progression is clear for all to see.
"Less obvious are the sacrifices and the challenges along the way, and I couldn't be prouder of how he's conducted himself and embraced the club, the community, and our supporters.
"He's lived and breathed Sunderland every step of the way."
So, now the news is confirmed, what impact will Bellingham's departure have? And how do you want to see the club record fee reinvested? Tell us how he should be replaced (and we want names) in the team.
Lions up, Watford down? The 2025 Championship tablepublished at 12:37 10 June
12:37 10 June
Ben Ashton BBC Sport England
Image source, Getty Images
Watford are getting relegated, Plymouth are staying up, Millwall are in the play-offs and Portsmouth are also battling for a top-six spot.
Does something sound a bit off? Well, that's what would have happened if the Championship season started on 1 January.
Here's a look at the 2025 calendar year table, showing who the form sides were in the second half of the season and who went into freefall.
Perhaps the most notable difference between the actual final top six and the 2025 version is that Millwall would be in the play-offs and Premier League-bound Sunderland would not.
Burnley and Leeds still comfortably occupy the automatic promotion spots, albeit the Clarets would be unbeaten at the top of the pile with the Whites in second.
Coventry improved significantly after Frank Lampard replaced Mark Robins and are third over the course of the year.
The Sky Blues would instead be pitted against Bristol City in the play-off semi-final as opposed to Sunderland. Who knows what difference that would have made to their promotion bid...
Image source, Rex Features
Portsmouth - who spent much of the season battling relegation and only secured their Championship safety with two games to spare - are seventh and just one point outside a play-off spot.
Pompey sit above Sunderland, who lost their final five games of the season and are down in eighth.
The data perhaps shows just how long Regis Le Bris' side effectively had a play-off spot sewn up before their victory at Wembley against Sheffield United to claim promotion.
Relegation battlers Oxford find themselves seven places higher than where they actually finished in the 2024-25 campaign (17th), reflecting the good work done by Gary Rowett after he took over as boss from Des Buckingham.
Image source, Rex Features
Plymouth would have survived comfortably had the season begun in January 2025, showing a significant uptick after Miron Muslic replaced Wayne Rooney at the helm.
Middlesbrough tailed off significantly in the second half of the season, underpinning why they missed out on the play-offs. It was a drop off that ultimately cost Michael Carrick his job as head coach.
Norwich City conceded more goals (32) than any other side in 2025, which counteracted the hard work they'd done at the other end, having been the fourth top scorers (31) since the turn of the year.
Image source, Rex Features
Watford had a disappointing 2025, winning just five of their 23 games and losing 13 to finish bottom of the calendar year table.
The Hornets had the joint-worst goal difference along with Cardiff (-10) and head coach Tom Cleverley was sacked following the end of the season.
Preston and Cardiff won the fewest games of any side in 2025 (4), which cost the Bluebirds their Championship status and almost led to the Lilywhites dropping into League One as they avoided relegation by one point.
Paul Heckingbottom's side would be down if only games this year were counted.
Luton and Derby scored the fewest goals in 2025 (19) and attacking output was an issue that plagued both sides throughout the entire campaign.
It had major consequences for the Hatters with back-to-back relegations, while the Rams survived by a point - and only on goal difference in the yearly table.
Sunderland must 'strengthen' but need 'more than one window'published at 08:06 10 June
08:06 10 June
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We asked for your views on whether Sunderland need to act urgently in the transfer market, with the first of two windows this summer closing at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Craig: We need to use this first window to get the players we don't want out and then use the second window to recruit.
Reece: Hopefully we can get a couple of experienced players, like Jordan Henderson, in at some stage. Then we can add a few quality players, either from the Championship or with Premier League experience, but I don't think we need to break the bank.
David: It will take more than one transfer window to complete a Premier League squad, I'm afraid. Priorities must be a top left-back, more pace and sharpness in midfield, and a different type of striker to the two we have. It's important to continue with the current recruitment model, but the addition of some sensible Henderson-like experience wouldn't go amiss. Unfortunately, it's arguable whether any of the promotion-winning squad are currently of Premier League quality but hopefully some can make the step up. I would take a fourth-bottom finish now.
Richard: Obviously we need to strengthen the squad, while also retaining as many of our talented youth prospects as possible. We need an experienced Premier League striker, a holding midfielder and some central defenders.
Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 08:02 10 June
08:02 10 June
Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.
In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.
Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
'I just hope he goes on to develop like his brother'published at 12:56 9 June
12:56 9 June
Image source, Getty Images
Roker Report fanzine writer Paddy Hollis believes Jobe Bellingham's departure this summer was "inevitable" but admits it is "a real shame" following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.
The 19-year-old is set to swap the Stadium of Light for Signal Iduna Park in a deal that will see Sunderland receive their highest transfer fee and Borussia Dortmund make their second most expensive signing.
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle about the developments, Hollis said: "I have never felt a player leaving Sunderland has been more inevitable. It is a real shame because I think he really developed last season.
"In my mind, I felt we had to go up to the Premier League to stand a chance of keeping him, but there were obviously already things in the works that meant he was going to be moving away this summer.
"If I could've handpicked one of the big European clubs for him to go and develop at, Dortmund would've been at the top of my list.
"There were links to him maybe going to Manchester United or Chelsea, but I'm pleased he isn't. I think going to Dortmund is a tried and tested path of development.
"I wish him all the best. He has been a good servant to Sunderland. I just hope he goes on to develop like his brother."
🎧 Rise of American ownership in English footballpublished at 11:07 9 June
11:07 9 June
It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.
Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.
In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is joined by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.
Do you want business on deadline day?published at 08:36 9 June
08:36 9 June
On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.
So, do you expect business to be done at Sunderland before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?
Injured Wharton misses out - but Delap, Bellingham and McAtee in U21 squadpublished at 09:46 6 June
09:46 6 June
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Lee Carsley has named his squad for the U21 European Championship in Slovakia as the Young Lions look to retain their title.
It has been a challenging squad for Carsley to select and he will be without Liam Delap, who was set to be his main striker before his £30m move to Chelsea. The Blues are now taking him to the Club World Cup.
Carlsey also lost Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton to injury but there is a lot of quality in the midfield area with Tottenham's Archie Gray, Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham all named.
Bellingham's participation had been questioned as he is the subject of interest from Borussia Dortmund, who - like Chelsea - will also participate in the Club World Cup.
Manchester City's James McAtee was a late addition to the squad following the pullouts of Wharton, Dennis Cirkin and Dane Scarlett all with medical issues.
McAtee could have been part of the Manchester City squad at the Club World Cup too, but he is set to play an important role on Carsley's squad for the tournament.
There is no recognised left-back in the squad but Tino Livramento and Samuel Iling-Junior have both played there for Newcastle and Middlesbrough respectvely this season.
Carlsey did not play with a natural left-back for the majority of the tournament in 2023 and that did not stop them lifting the trophy.
'We will have to adjust what our team looks like and what the feel of it is'published at 07:40 6 June
07:40 6 June
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Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has said it is imperative the club "stay true" to what they have built over the past couple of years on their Premier League return.
The Black Cats have achieved two promotions in the past four seasons to return to the top flight.
"To go from League One to the Premier League is hopefully something that will never have to happen for Sunderland again, but it is a really rewarding piece of work," Speakman said in an interview on the club's YouTube channel, external.
"We have to stay true to what we are as a football club and what we have built. The solution to get us to the Premier League won't necessarily be the solution for us to stay in the Premier League.
"So, we will have to pivot and we will have to adjust in terms of how we operate, what our team looks like and what the feel of it is.
"We want to make sure we have got a youthful squad. We also understand what the challenge of the Premier League is, and it is the best league in the world. We are going to have to make sure we have got a team capable of doing all the things that have been done before, but obviously at a high level.
"Everyone understands the scale of the task to stay in the Premier League. The success rate is so low because it is a challenge."
The Championship's improvement table for 2024-25published at 13:46 5 June
13:46 5 June
Ben Ashton BBC Sport England
Image source, Getty Images
The 2024-25 Championship season might be over but there are many ways to analyse and reflect on the campaign that has gone before us.
Not every club can go up but if there are signs a team is moving in the right direction, it can still be considered good progress - or quite the opposite if things are on the slide.
Here is a look at how each of the 18 sides who were in the Championship for the past two seasons got on points wise compared to the 2023-24 campaign.
It perhaps comes as no surprise that Sunderland, who won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, recorded the most significant improvement after finishing 16th in 2023-24 and picked up 20 more points.
Despite a tumultuous season off the field, Blackburn were the second most improved side in the division, gaining 13 points on the previous campaign as they missed out on the play-offs by just two points.
Leeds racked up 90 points in 2023-24 but somehow still managed a 10-point improvement as they hit the 100 mark on their way to winning the title in their best-ever season in the second tier.
Millwall's seven-point improvement was enough to help them finish five places higher in eighth, but they fell short of the top six by two points.
Meanwhile, Bristol City were only six points better off but managed to climb five places and claim a play-off spot, recording their best Championship finishing position since 2007-08.
Coventry also only improved by five points but were able to jump from ninth to fifth, perhaps showing just how fine the margins can be in the Championship when it comes to securing a play-off berth.
At the bottom...
Image source, Getty Images
You might want to look away now, Hull City fans.
The Tigers went backwards more than any other side compared to the previous season under Liam Rosenior, dropping from seventh place and three points outside the play-offs to only escaping relegation on goal difference on the final day.
Cardiff went from mid-table in 2023-24 to rock bottom and will drop down to League One for the first time in 22 years. It is pretty clear to see why as the Bluebirds picked up 18 fewer points compared to the previous season.
Norwich tumbled to 13th place after finishing in the play-offs a year before - an underperformance which ultimately cost Johannes Hoff Thorup his job as head coach.
Preston were 10 points off the play-off places in 2023-24 but picked up 13 fewer points under Paul Heckingbottom in what was their worst season since they were relegated from the Championship in 2010-11.
The Lilywhites' downturn was largely due to a major dip in form in the latter stages of the campaign, picking up only one win from their final 15 games (D7 L7) to avoid the drop by just one point.
West Bromwich Albion endured a disappointing season - for a club which always harbours ambitions of plying its trade in the top flight - with an 11-point drop off.
Albion's final points tally of 64 was their worst in the Championship since 1999-2000.
Plymouth may have only been five points worse off than they were in 2023-24 but having survived on the final day that season, there were to be no such heroics this time around and their two-year stint in the second tier is over.
And the rest...
Image source, Getty Images
*All data based only on teams who were in the Championship in 2023-24 and 2024-25
Why Sunderland need 'experience and understanding' to survivepublished at 09:48 5 June
09:48 5 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your questions for BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha on your Premier League club.
Chris asked what Nedum's former club Sunderland can do to strengthen for the challenges of the Premier League next season after securing promotion.
That is a tough question.
I would say they need to find people with good Premier League experience that also understand what it takes to galvanise a group to take on a challenge that most of those guys have not experienced before - and can do it as significant underdogs on a week-to-week basis.
If you bring somebody in who expects to be successful straight away then some of the tougher times might affect the mood. You need someone with experience who is realistic and can also be part of a team build.
You do not want to go into the Premier League and just figure it out as you go along. You want to have a plan and to build. It seems like the manager has got a lot of belief in them by finally getting back up there, plus some of the players already there could potentially do well in the top flight.
Sunderland need to find players who will complement that, not ones who are going to be doing things for themselves if things start to go sour because, in reality and as it stands, people do not expect them to win a lot of games.
They are going to have to be fighting their way through on a week-to-week basis.
I have heard links with Jordan Henderson coming back. I do not know if he will, but if somebody with that much Premier League experience would want to be part of a transition period for the club - and he is also in one himself - then that would be great.
That is part of what you need - somebody who will understand the area, understand the fanbase and understand the club. Not somebody who just sees a chance to go and play in the Premier League.
If you fail to find the right mix then it will be a real split in terms of those who have come up with the side and those who arrive.
If Sunderland do not get experience and understanding then they will be in a terrible position in a year's time - probably heading back to the Championship but this time without that cohesive feeling they had just a few weeks ago.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
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'It doesn't worry me' - Speakman on relegation patternpublished at 08:21 5 June
08:21 5 June
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says he isn't worried about the recent history of clubs being promoted to the Premier League and facing immediate relegation.
Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs after an added time goal by Tom Watson in the final.
Watson has now joined Brighton, but speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle Speakman said that all summer transfer decisions will have the long-term goals of the club in mind.
When asked if the number of promoted clubs being relegated is worrying, Speakman said: "It doesn't worry me, I think it's a fantastic challenge. Everyone that works at Sunderland has just gone through an incredible challenge of trying to navigate from League One to the Premier League.
"This is a challenge everyone is really looking forward to.
"When we came to the club we had a multi-year strategy of how we'd get back to the Premier League. That's not just a season-by-season thought process.
"We're going to continue that way of thinking, we're going to make decisions we think are in the best interest of the club to try to retain our position in the Premier League.
"We're going to try ensure we don't make decisions that will negatively impact the club in the long-term, because you've seen before with Sunderland how negative that can be.
"As we know, there's some really key decisions coming up around making sure we have a squad capable of trying to achieve that objective.
Image source, Getty Images
