MACKEMS legend Kevin Phillips claims boom club Sunderland are reaching for the stars under ambitious owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
Regis Le Bris’ Premier League upstarts face Everton at a sold-out Stadium of Light on Monday night.
And the Black Cats have already made a mockery of those who wrote them off as relegation fodder before the season kicked off.
Now they are riding high with an unbeaten home record and having just chalked up one of the biggest shocks of the campaign so far with a 2-1 win at Chelsea.
Despite winning Europe’s Golden Boot during his time on Wearside, Phillips never savoured European football.
But he reckons today’s Sunderland are on course for just that.
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And he has revealed that if 27-year-old Frenchman Louis-Dreyfus has his way, that will be just the start of a glorious new era.
Phillips said: “I have been in the owner’s company a few times and spoken to him about his vision.
“He comes across as a very quiet, unassuming person but he clearly has a passion for the football club.
“And he has surrounded himself with very competent people who are equally ambitious and all want the best for Sunderland.
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“It’s all very good saying things but Kyril is well and truly backing it up with his actions.
“Like most fans, I was initially surprised at the investment in the summer and the money spent on the area surrounding the ground.
“But now you get the impression, he has only just started.”
And Phillips added: “Sunderland are having an incredible season.
“The owner has already proved he is not afraid to invest heavily.
“It is easy to get carried away but from what I have heard from the man himself he wants to take the club to the very, very top.”
Phillips, who scored 130 goals in 235 appearances for Sunderland between 1997 and 2003, has already seen sufficient evidence for himself to tell fans to dust off their passports.
He added: “I’m not saying we’re going to ‘do a Leicester this season’ but let’s face it, Sunderland have already proved they are a match for most teams.
“Back in August, everyone was saying a successful season would be staying up, even in 17th place but three months on and I personally have set my sights higher.
“And I genuinely believe European football next season is realistic target. That would be massive.
“Back in my day, we climbed as high as second behind Manchester United at one stage and Europe looked on.
“We didn’t quite do it, finishing seventh two years in a row [1999–2000 and 2000–01] but the big difference between then and now is that this owner will carry on investing in the squad.
“I’m hearing the club plan to strengthen in the new year.
“In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they have already identified their targets and got the balls rolling.”
Phillips was at the last home game against Wolves which coincided with the opening of the new Keels Crossing footbridge — labelled “Regis Le Bridge” by fans.
He was struck by the vibe both inside and outside the ground which was once his stage.
The eight-capped England striker said: “It’s been a long time coming but Sunderland, both club and city, feel like they are really going places.
“That footbridge across the River Wear feels like walking along Wembley Way.
“With so many new pubs, cafes and restaurants opening up, it’s a proper matchday experience.
“And the atmosphere inside the ground now takes the breath away.
“In the past, I’ve tended to arrive at my seat just before kick-off but these days, I arrive ten minutes earlier just to take it all in.
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“It really is hairs on the back of the neck stuff.
“Every club talks up their fans but Sunderland’s really are like a 12th man.”
