Sunderland are reportedly closing in on a new manager again, this time discussing the role of Regis Le Bris after missing out on Liam Rosenior. The Black Cats have faced a very frustrating battle in appointing a new manager to replace Michael Beale, but will be hoping to finally resolve the situation in the coming days.
Of course, managerless Sunderland are losing ground to their rivals when it comes to recruitment, but there is still plenty of time to add players before the new season. In the meantime, we’ve rounded up all the latest news from the championship.
Former Premier League star Alan Hutton has backed Leeds United to sign Tottenham star Oliver Skipp. He said: “I think so. It always helps if you know the manager and you can go to a club where you can settle in very quickly and meet the players in pre-season.
“We’re talking about a big team at Leeds who have just missed out on promotion and that will be their mission next season. To be perfectly honest, I don’t see him being a regular at Tottenham in the future, I think they have too many options in the top eight.
“To be fair, when he comes in he does a good job, but to go somewhere where he feels at home and plays normal football is what is what is the best thing about him. Leeds will need reinforcements if they want to leave next year, so I think this could be a good move.”
Roca deal “close”
One deal Leeds will make involves midfielder Marco Rocca, who only signed last season in the Premier League. According to Diario de Sevilla, Leeds are close to agreeing a deal with Real Betis for the midfielder to head to Andalusia on a permanent basis.
Roca spent last season on loan at Betis and secured European qualification with Sevilla. He now looks set to join the club permanently, leaving Leeds with just 32 league appearances.
Palmer on candidates for promotion
Carlton Palmer has made an interesting campaign prediction well ahead of the next Championship campaign. He told Football League World: “It is very early to start predicting who will be promoted from the Championship. I would say that I think the three teams relegated this year are not as strong as the three teams relegated from the Premier League last season.
“If you look at the three teams that got promoted, Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich, and I’d put Leeds in that spot, even if they didn’t get promoted, they were very, very strong. I think Sheffield United have a lot of work to do under Chris Wilder in the summer, can’t do anything until this takeover is ratified in terms of attracting players.
“I think Luton if they can keep Rob Edwards will be very strong next season, Burnley have got good players and they will be there or somewhere because they have parachute money so you have to watch them with Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton who if If Leeds reach 90 points again this season, they will go up.
“I’ll go for Leeds to get promoted, I’ll go for Luton to get straight back as long as Rob Edwards stays, but I won’t go for Sheffield United, just because I think they’ve got too much work to do between now and the end of the season. should be there or somewhere, but if you ask me to name three clubs I think will be promoted next season, I’d pick Leeds, Luton and then I’ll surprise myself and go to Sheffield Wednesday via the play-offs.”