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 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...
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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
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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 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
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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 ed 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.
'We've made more correct decisions than wrong decisions' - Speakman on Bellinghampublished at 17:58 4 June
17:58 4 June
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Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says the club will look to continue to make the "correct decisions" when addressing the future of Jobe Bellingham.
The midfielder is reportedly of interest to Borussia Dortmund, though Sunderland have not received any formal offer for his services yet.
Asked by BBC Radio Newcastle about the links, Speakman said: "I can't say anything on that situation. We've got to be really clear moving forward, we all know how big Sunderland is. What we can't start doing is speculating on every single player, every potential trade. Once we know where we are with certain players and things can be defined then obviously we'll try to be public on that.
"The context of every situation is different. You have to bear that in mind with all the players you're dealing with, they're all humans, they've all got their own aspirations. Obviously we've got a collective number of players at the moment that have bought into what Sunderland is and through that collective and that connection with everyone we've managed to build a successful team that's got back into the Premier League.
"So when you do my kind of job, Regis's kind of job, you have to consider all those pieces and then you have to come up with the right answer and thankfully over the last few years we've made more correct decisions than wrong decisions and we've got try and continue that".
Losing Bellingham would 'be a blow for Sunderland'published at 11:05 4 June
11:05 4 June
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It is "a little bit surprising" that Jobe Bellingham could be leaving Sunderland after they were promoted to the Premier League, says The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein.
Bellingham could follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude, by moving to Borussia Dortmund, with the Bundesliga side confident of securing his signature.
Having been such a key part of their promotion from the Championship - making 43 appearances across the season - many Black Cats fans would have been hoping to see the 19-year-old playing for them in the top flight.
"It is maybe a little bit surprising as Sunderland have just won promotion to the Premier League, he was one of their standout players and in the Championship team of the season," Ornstein told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"But, we have seen what a happy hunting ground the Bundesliga is for many English players, including most prominently his brother.
"Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen and there will be many suitors for such an impressive young player.
"We will have to see what the next few days bring, but it will be a blow for Sunderland. However, the Bellinghams seem to have their head screwed on when it comes to planning their career path."
🎧 Relive an epic seasonpublished at 07:54 4 June
07:54 4 June
Still on a high from Sunderland's memorable season? We have got you covered.
The BBC's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes reviews the 2024-25 season with a game-by-game guide of the Black Cats' journey back to the Premier League.
'I can't wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League' - Le Feepublished at 17:16 3 June
17:16 3 June
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Enzo le Fee says he and Sunderland "get to take the next step" together after it was confirmed the midfielder's six-month loan move from Roma will be made permanent following promotion to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old immediately became a key part of the Black Cats' squad after arriving from the Serie A giants in January and made 18 appearances, culminating in the play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley.
Le Fee made it clear he found a home in the North East and was keen to stay as soon as promotion to the top flight was secured.
"I said before the play-off final that my heart was in Sunderland – I wanted to stay, and this made it the most important game of my life," he said.
"Together, we did it. From the moment I arrived, I have enjoyed my football, my team-mates and our ers. We shared an incredible experience, and now we get to take the next step.
"There are greater challenges ahead, but we must face them together, and I can't wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League."
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: "In Enzo, we knew we were acquiring a very high-level player who could be influential in critical moments - the moments that change the outcome of games and seasons.
"He's been a big part of our success, so we're delighted that he's g permanently and ing us in the Premier League. Above all else, he's been a team player, and following our play-off final victory, I think everyone could see exactly what the club means to him."
What can promoted clubs spend this summer?published at 14:11 2 June
14:11 2 June
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Having been in the Championship for two years out of the past three, Burnley may need to be conservative with their PSR loss limited to £61m.
Aside from Sunderland, the Clarets are the only Premier League side yet to go above the £20m mark in a single player purchase.
The Black Cats' return to the top flight via the play-offs comes with the knowledge they will be able to reinforce significantly for the step up in class that awaits.
Enzo le Fee's loan move from Roma in January included an obligation-to-buy clause and the French midfielder could well kick-start a recruitment drive with Sunderland in good financial shape.
"Since being relegated from the Premier League in 2017, Sunderland have not spent more than £10m in a single year on player gs, despite receiving parachute payments, and they have only made losses of £18m in the last two seasons," said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
Leeds, who finished top of the second tier are in a less fortunate position.
"They will have to box clever in of recruitment," continued Maguire.
gs and sales - your transfer window prioritiespublished at 10:05 31 May
10:05 31 May
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We asked you to tell us what Sunderland need to do in the summer transfer window.
Here are some of your comments:
Craig: We need strengthening through experience. But particularly experienced players who understand why they are being brought to the club - players who see their role as mentors and coaches for young players. Names like Jordan Henderson or Henderson-like characters are exactly what we need. I think we also need a goalkeeper, centre-forward and cover in full-back positions.
David: Unfortunately, it is going to take more than one transfer window to put a squad together able to be competitive in the Premier League. Arguably, not one of our players is currently ready - though, of course, they may step up again. Priority is probably another goalscorer who is happy to get on the end of crosses and a bit more sharpness and pace in midfield, together with a top left-back. It is also important we continue with the current recruitment model, with perhaps the addition of some experience, like Henderson.
Ed: Would love to see Jamie Vardy . His experience and goalscoring are exactly what the squad needs.
Brian: I'd love to see Henderson back with us as he hasn't had the best of times at Ajax. I also think we need to sign Enzo Le Fee because he's been revolutionary for us since ing us in January from Roma. I hope we put in an offer for Amad Diallo to come back to us. He was brilliant for us in his last spell. I'd like to see us get a better back-up goalkeeper just in case Patterson gets injured.
Nigel: Premier League experience is a must to help build the confidence of the young team. Henderson is mentioned, but we should look to strengthen all areas - Jonny Evans and Aaron Cresswell in defence are both available on frees. Keep Mepham. Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson have Premier League experience with Ipswich and would complement the squad. And , like all clubs, we need a 15-20 goal striker.
What needs to happen in the transfer window?published at 12:09 30 May
12:09 30 May
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The transfer window opens on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.
With Sunderland heading into the Premier League, are there certain players you are desperate for them to sign, or an area of the squad that needs improving? Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority.
And what about sales - who needs to go?
So over to you... what names need bringing in and shipping out?
When will the 2025-26 Premier League fixtures be released? published at 08:21 29 May
08:21 29 May
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The BBC's Ask Me Anything team have done all of the research ahead of the announcement detailing next season's Premier League matches.
The fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday,18 June 2025 and the release will include the weekly schedule of all 380 matches.
The season will begin with a single fixture played on Friday, 15 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all matches will be played at 16:00 BST. There will be 33 weekend rounds of fixtures, plus five midweek rounds.
The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.
Gossip: Sunderland line up potential Henderson reunionpublished at 07:56 29 May
07:56 29 May
England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, could leave Dutch club Ajax and make a stunning return to hometown club Sunderland this summer. (Mirror), external
Black Cats praised by BBC podcast teampublished at 16:56 28 May
16:56 28 May
Media caption,
72+: The EFL Podcast
Sunderland have been chosen as the Team of the Season by the pundits on the 72+ EFL podcast.
After guiding the Black Cats to promotion via a dramatic play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday, head coach Regis Le Bris was singled out for praise, though he missed out on the Manager of the Season accolade to Charlton's Nathan Jones.
Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: "If you're talking about who has overachieved this season you have to have Regis Le Bris up there because nobody would have had Sunderland getting promoted this season given the model of the club, such a young squad and a manager that was untested in this country. Sensational."
The were in agreement on Sunderland being the team of the season, however, with McAnuff saying: "A young team, looked as though they had run their race, went on a really bad patch of form but regrouped, got themselves together and had a couple of iconic EFL moments down the stretch - Dan Ballard's last minute winner and Tommy Watson's finish in the final."
Lyle Taylor added: "Let's go with Sunderland. They are back at the top table after eight years away and did it in a really interesting and alternative way."
Image source, Getty Images
