The world of English football is rapidly approaching silly season. The opening of the summer transfer signifies wacky rumours, controversial bidding wars, and clubs being linked with all manner of players from seemingly ever tier in every footballing nation. For Sunderland AFC, the previous two transfer windows have been undisputed disappointments. Paolo di Canio's 2013 intake was a collective disaster, with only loanees Borini, Ki and Alonso leaving with heads held high. Names such as Cabral and El-Hadji Ba barely saw playing time, while highly rated youngster David Moberg Karlsson saw none at all (and the less said about Jozy Altidore the better). Last year was little better, with an underwhelming new batch of signings landing yet another manager in hot water - this time the beloved Gus Poyet. Sunderland fans everywhere will be praying that it's third time lucky in the transfer market for Ellis Short, Lee Congerton and co., especially given the unbearably close nature of the previous two (or even arguably three) escapes from relegation. Here are eleven players Sunderland would do well to sign in the coming months. Failure to do so could finally spell doom for one of the most floundering clubs in the Premier League.
