RELEASE: One Sunderland player just surpassed Norwich City’s top earnings to become the new highest-paid player in the Championship.

Sunderland kicking on with pre-season and the summer transfer window would be that much sweeter if England could turn the screw at the Euros in Germany.

Sunderland stuttered to the end of the 2023/2024 season.

The fans were clamouring for a break from our club and the close season was a chance to take a step away from Sunderland, with attention turning to an international tournament that England were tipped as one of the favourites to win.

When the campaign got underway against Serbia, the feeling of relief at taking a break from Sunderland was still there, but now that England’s group stage campaign has ended, I feel myself drawn back the other way.

A new head coach and a first summer signing were announced before England’s final group game against Slovenia, and the launch of a new Hummel home kit and the release of next season’s fixtures both happened this week.

Watching Sunderland towards the end of last season was like this, and anyone hoping to gain some enjoyment from watching football that doesn’t involve Sunderland haven’t got it through Gareth Southgate’s side.

However, on the whole, the tournament has been very entertaining with some brilliant matches to keep people engaged, and with things now happening at Sunderland, the fact that England aren’t blowing teams away doesn’t seem to matter as much.

England games outside of major tournaments are usually not the most enjoyable, and unfortunately that applies to Euro 2024 so far.

Closer to home, it feels like things are starting to click into place ahead of a third consecutive season in the Championship. The regime has a lot of making up to do, but the investment off the pitch and focus on improving things on it is becoming ever so slightly clearer this summer.