In recent years, Sunderland has been one of the most successful teams in English football. However, in 2017, the club was relegated from the Premier League and had to adapt its strategies to survive in the second tier.
One of the key areas that the club needed to focus on was recruitment. In order to compete with other top-flight clubs, Sunderland needed to make strategic signings that would help them improve their performance on the pitch.
To this end, the club made several significant signings in the summer of 2018. One of the biggest moves was the acquisition of striker Jermain Defoe from Toronto FC. Defoe is known for his goal-scoring abilities and his experience playing at the highest level of professional football. His arrival immediately helped to boost the team's attacking prowess and gave fans hope of a bright future under new manager Dick Advocaat.
Another player who joined Sunderland that season was midfielder Adama Traore. Traore is a highly skilled player who can play across midfield or as a winger. He brought his pace and creativity to the team, helping to unlock defences and create chances for his teammates.
The signings of Defoe and Traore were just the beginning of Sunderland's efforts to adapt and improve. The club also signed several other players during the transfer window, including defender Joe Willock and forward Jayden Bogle. These additions helped to strengthen the squad and give fans something to cheer about.
Despite the challenges they faced, Sunderland continued to make progress under Advocaat's leadership. They finished the 2018-19 season in tenth place and qualified for the Europa League, showing that the club's adaptation strategy was working.
Overall, Sunderland's strategic signings have played a crucial role in the club's journey back up to the Premier League. With the right combination of talent and management, the club has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with once again.