Boudewijn Zenden has encouraged Sunderland, the club where he spent three seasons, to invest in the transfer market, during this summer's transfer window.
As per "?HITC, the 39-year-old Dutchman believes that the Black Cats must show "ambition" over the coming months, in order to avoid becoming embroiled in yet another survival scrap next season.
Retaining their Premier League status entitles Sunderland to a share of the new £5bn television rights deal that kicks in next season, so manager Sam Allardyce should not be short on funds with which to improve his squad.
The former West Ham boss' January acquisitions were a major factor in his side's escape from danger, with Jan Kirchhoff, Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone all making significant contributions to the Black Cats' upturn in fortunes.
Similarly wise investment is likely to be required to further transform a squad that still looks bereft of sufficient quality to improve their plight next season.
As important as the players Allardyce brings to the Stadium of Light is shifting the deadwood in the Sunderland ranks. A recent history of hiring and firing managers has left behind a squad lacking discernible identity and containing far too many sub-standard players.
According to "?Chronicle Live, Allardyce will be tasked with finding a new buyer for Argentine defender Santiago Vergini. The centre-half spent the season on loan with La Liga outfit Getafe, but their recently-confirmed relegation means that they are no longer obligated to purchase him.
Given Allardyce's pragmatic style, any future success at Sunderland is likely to be based on stability at the back. To that end, bringing in funds via the sale of unreliable defenders such as Vergini is essential.