Stadium of Light and Sunderland, hardly keeping books or hard to keep books?

Stadium of Light and Sunderland, hardly keeping books or hard to keep books?

With the passing of the January transfer window, The Black Cats have had to make a more conservative approach for the use of their available funds.

We’ve already seen big names like Darren Bent and Lorik Cana sold over the past year.

There has been speculation that Sunderland would have to sell all its big name players in order to keep their financial books balanced. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11695_6802146,00.html)

Last year’s financial statements for Sunderland, show losses that increased by 1.4 million pounds from the previous year. Sunderland incurred gross transfer fees of 28 million pounds. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11095_6754565,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html)

Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England
Home of the Blackcats

Sunderland has seen gate receipts fall from 13.88 million pounds in 2009, to 12.6 million pounds during the last year. Blaming much of the gate losses on city pubs that broadcast home games through illegal broadcasts. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11095_6754565,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html)

Sunderland hopes to overcome extensive fees and losses with gains in revenue from the sales of star players. These players include Kenwyne Jones, Marton Fulop or Martyn Waghorn. They are also set to receive a hefty fee for their former star striker Darren Bent.

Sunderland received 24 million pounds for the rights to Darren Bent.

Bent knows his role with his new club and understands he is expected to provide goals and wins as Villa pursue one of the top four spots in the Premier League.

Darren Bent of Aston Villa

Bent was sold when two other record signings occurred. Spanish international Fernando Torres, who was sold to Chelsea FC for 50 million pounds from Liverpool FC, and English international Andy Carroll, was sold from Newcastle United to Liverpool FC for 35 million pounds.

"Someone like Torres is proven in the top-flight and in my opinion is the best striker in the country, and if he goes for £50million you kind of think fair enough,” – Darren Bent added this of new Chelsea Signee Torres.

Bent, Carroll, and Torres must all be feeling the pressure for the record amounts of money spent on bringing them to top of English football.

"It definitely does add pressure.” Obviously for me it is pressure I have dealt with before because I went to Spurs for big money.” – Darren Bent on his new signing with Aston Villa FC.


Bent has made a little to no impact since signing with Aston Villa FC, and has yet to impress.

Fernando Torres arrived at Stamford
Bridge for a fee of £50 Million

Bent has been dealing with the pressure that comes with his massive transfer fee. He has managed two goals in five Premier League appearances for Villa.

Fernando Torres has been an absolute disappointment so far. He has created very few chances for struggling Chelsea and has yet to convert any of those chances into goals.

Who will be the best signee from the January transfer window? There are still a handful of games left in the Premier League and still time for these big money men to impress.