Sunderland may regret not signing a ‘great’ player after his recent heroics.
Sunderland fans will not want to be reminded of their numerous mistakes over the last year or so, with their summer transfer activity especially troubling.
Despite recruiting Amad Diallo, Dan Ballard, and Aji Alese when they returned to the Championship, the Black Cats were unable to replicate their success the second time around.
The arrivals of players like Luis Hemir Semedo, Mason Burstow, and Bradley Dack have been immensely disappointing, leaving fans wondering what could have happened if they had approached the window wisely.
Sunderland’s refusal to recruit a proven goalscorer was a major disappointment, as they signed four inexperienced teenagers despite having been associated with Ellis Simms, Tom Cannon, and Kieffer Moore this season.
Ellis Simms had previously shown himself at the Stadium of Light, scoring seven goals in 17 games while on loan in the first half of the 2022/23 season.
The Black Cats were eager to sign him on a permanent basis, but they refused to pay £8 million for his services, which Coventry City eventually agreed to.
Ellis Simms has shown Sunderland what they are missing
While Simms had a poor start in the Midlands, he now has eleven goals in his last 18 Championship outings, giving them a slim chance of making the playoffs.
He impressed even more over the weekend, adding to his incredible FA Cup score with a goal and an assist in the semi-final against Manchester United.
Coventry fell behind 3-0 at Wembley Stadium but rallied to force penalties, with Simms leading the way wonderfully.
The 23-year-old has six goals in his previous three FA Cup outings, three of which came against Premier League opponents.
Journalist James Copley has confessed that it acts as a’reminder’ to Sunderland, who refused to meet his price.
He said on X: “During Coventry’s incredible three-goal comeback against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, Ellis Simms scored and assisted. Incredible performance, and a reminder that you get what you paid for.”
A goal and an assist for Ellis Simms against Manchester United for Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley during their stunning three-goal comeback.
Incredible performance and also a reminder that you get what you pay for! #SAFC
— James Copley (@JamesCopley_) April 21, 2024
Sunderland need to cough up the cash this summer
Nobody could have predicted Ellis Simms would be as successful as he has been, scoring 23 goals in 49 Sky Blues appearances.
But Coventry were willing to take the chance and spend the money, which could have paid off immediately if they had reached the FA Cup final and possibly the play-offs.
While it is clear that Simms did not do everything, he may have contributed to the team’s two trips to Wembley Stadium during his first season.
Sunderland’s campaign could have turned out very differently if they had been willing to pay the price for his entrance, but they were not, which appears to be a recurring pattern.
The Wearside outfit must be prepared to open their wallets this summer, or we will fall further and further behind. We cannot rely just on young players, free transfers, and loans to get promoted.
I am not suggesting we must overpay for players, but we cannot refuse to spend more than six figures for a striker. That is not how the market operates now.
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