Former Sunderland midfielder Don Hutchison has praised the club’s transfer policy. Under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats are flying and Hutchison reckons fans can thank a change in the club’s transfer stance for the success this season.

Speaking on the Essential EFL podcast, Hutchison identified the impact of players like Chris Mepham and Wilson Isidor this season, and highlighted how these two players went against the previous transfer policy for Sunderland.

Hutchison said: “I’m really pleased that in the summer they added a little bit of experience within the ranks. Chris Mepham has been sensational. Alan Browne, though injured, could add something off the pitch. Even Wilson Isidor, who’s 24, goes against the previous policy of signing under-21s. It literally was just that, and that was a real worry.”

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Still, the Sunderland squad is the youngest in the league, with an average age of just 23.2 years across the team, and yet the balance within the squad is clearly far better than in previous years.

With talented young stars like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, and the emergence of the likes of Tommy Watson and Eliezer Mayenda this season, Sunderland have exciting players who can change a game in an instant. The addition of Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma will only add to that mix and there could be other arrivals in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, another ex-Sunderland star is reported to be signing a new contract. Wearside fan favourite Amad Diallo still watches Sunderland games every now and then, with his love for the club evident.

Now, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Diallo is set to sign a new deal at Old Trafford. He posted on X on Thursday morning: “His agents will be with Amad to sign today — new contract valid until June 2030 with no option, as revealed yesterday.”

On Wednesday, a report from United In Focus revealed that Diallo will be set to earn a staggering £120k-a-week upon signing his new contract. Last month, when Sunderland lost against Stoke and drew against Blackburn Rovers, Marco Gabbiadini, another ex-Black Cat, suggested Sunderland were missing Diallo’s star quality.

He said: “He was our X factor. And that’s maybe what we’re missing a little bit. I think we’ve got some absolutely brilliant players, we’ve got players who are consistent, who are over-achieving for their age groups especially.”

But with Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson on the mend, and Le Fee arriving to add star quality to the side, things are on the up again for Regis Le Bris’ side.