'A forward is imperative' before transfer deadline

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini expressed his contentment with the Black Cats retaining the core of their squad, emphasizing that 90% of the players from last season remain with the team. However, he stressed the need for additional personnel to cope with the increasing number of European fixtures. The forward believes that signing a new attacking option is crucial, particularly as a precautionary measure against injuries.

Gabbiadini acknowledged that the club may not make any drastic changes, as Regis le Bris has already discussed the squad's capacity. When questioned about which position should be prioritized by sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, Gabbiadini highlighted the importance of a forward in the attack. While Trai Hume and Nilson Angulo have started on the wings in the team's initial games, Gabbiadini suggested that another forward would be beneficial, especially to address potential injuries and provide competition for those positions.

The wide areas and the right-side attacking midfield are somewhat vacant, and the club has identified a few potential targets in those areas. However, Gabbiadini also mentioned Chris Rigg's impressive performances at the end of the season, noting that he can play various positions and is a candidate for rotation. The manager's cautious approach to squad expansion indicates that more signings are likely in the near future.