Sunderland seems to have a tough few clashes in retailer as they proceed their return to the Premier League.
Fortunately, the Black Cats have not been paralysed by the challenges in entrance of them simply but, with Regis Le Bris’ males sitting in a fairly ninth spot within the early standings, after selecting up a formidable three wins from their opening seven fixtures.
Nonetheless, a 2-0 defeat by the hands of Manchester United final day out shall be a fear for Le Bris, contemplating Chelsea, Everton, and Arsenal are on his workforce’s fixture listing heading into the remainder of October after which November, who’re all above Ruben Amorim’s underperforming Crimson Devils within the division.
Additional down the road, the Frenchman may also have to make some cutthroat choices about who he retains on previous their contracts expiring, with a lot of his reserve personnel maybe strolling away subsequent summer season.
The Sunderland gamers now in peril of leaving
As a direct consequence of Sunderland forking out over £160m on transfers within the busy switch window simply gone, a lot of Le Bris’ camp have now needed to make do with restricted gametime, regardless of as soon as being necessary cogs within the Black Cats’ machine.
Certainly, regardless of solely lacking two Championship video games final season in the course of the common marketing campaign, Dan Neil seems to be operating out of time now as his deal expires subsequent June, with just one minute of Premier League motion afforded to him to this point.
Patrick Roberts was even despatched out on mortgage to Birmingham Metropolis in the summertime, as one other determine that has dramatically tumbled down the Stadium of Mild pecking order.
With a purpose and help already subsequent to his title at St. Andrew’s, it is clear that the 28-year-old nonetheless has extra to present within the second tier, even when he has been deemed surplus to necessities again at his father or mother employers.
There’s additionally reserve goalkeeper determine Simon Moore, who will certainly be moved on quickly, with Robin Roefs consuming up all his potential minutes much more.
Earlier than the Dutchman’s impressed arrival, the ex-Brentford stopper had solely ever made six first-team appearances on Wearside, together with his exit from the membership presumably within the offing.
There’s one other determine who hasn’t been talked about but, who may also discover it onerous to make a urgent case to remain put, regardless of persistently shining when chosen by Le Bris.
Why Dennis Cirkin is now on borrowed time
Whereas Sunderland did break the financial institution this summer season to organize for his or her Premier League voyage, a number of of Sunderland’s promotion heroes have additionally stepped on top of things, away from the disappointing tales of Neil and Roberts.
Wilson Isidor – who fired house a good 13 objectives throughout their promotion heroics – already has three league objectives to shout about, while Trai Hume’s fiery character within the Championship has been entrance and centre of his recreation within the top-flight, too, with the Northern Irishman profitable a mammoth six duels on common throughout his seven outings within the demanding league, as per Sofascore.
Certainly one of Hume’s dependable teammates on the again within the EFL’s elite division in Dennis Cirkin, has did not make the step-up look easy, although, with the quantity three’s ongoing journey on Wearside marred by accidents as soon as extra.
Since coming into the membership as a wide-eyed prospect from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, Cirkin has collected a standout haul of eight objectives and 6 assists from 116 appearances, together with his means to interrupt up the pitch with velocity, matched by his Hume-like tenacity in defence, seeing him earn rave evaluations previously.
Certainly, he seemingly has “the potential to be a Premier League participant”, in response to ex-boss Tony Mowbray, who additionally famous that “Jose Mourinho actually preferred him” again at Spurs, amid his stand up the Lilywhites youth ranks.
Cirkin – Sunderland stats by season | ||
|---|---|---|
Season | Matches performed | Video games out with damage |
25/26 | 0 | 5 |
24/25 | 39 | 3 |
23/24 | 8 | 34 |
22/23 | 36 | 18 |
21/22 | 41 | 7 |
Sourced by Transfermarkt | ||
He’s but to dwell as much as Mowbray’s – and Mourinho’s – reward and charm the Stadium of Mild turf within the Premier League, owing to extra damage difficulties mounting up, with a regarding 67 video games missed in whole over the 5 seasons he is been on the top-flight newcomers.
With a £20m price ticket as soon as above his head when at his Black Cats peak, it does look far-fetched that any membership would need to fork out that lavish quantity on such an injury-prone particular person in January, even when he does have a bilstering strike up his sleeve when free from his demons.
Sunderland may, due to this fact, be staring down the barrel at Cirkin leaving for nothing when his contract ceases to be subsequent 12 months, with it a danger to maintain such an injury-ravaged star round, in what can be a really unhappy finish to the 23-year-old’s long-established Wearside affiliation.
