Chemsdine Talbi omission baffles as Sunderland questions asked
Chemsdine Talbi was an unused substitute for Sunderland in their latest defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The Black Cats have often lacked quality in the wide areas, which is a big reason behind the decision to utilise Enzo Le Fee and Chris Rigg there in recent weeks.
However, out of all of the wide options at their disposal, Talbi is certainly the one who has impressed the most.
The Morocco international has frustrated at times, but with four goals this season, including the equalising goal against Newcastle, he has showcased his ability to make a big difference in big games.
And that makes his recent omission all the more confusing.
What has happened with Chemsdine Talbi?
When Talbi was struggling, Regis Le Bris insisted on playing him, and now that he has started to find his feet in the Premier League, he is nowhere to be seen.
That win over Newcastle in March was actually his last start for the Black Cats, with him having played just 35 minutes of football since.
| Premier League | Talbi |
| Starts | 14 |
| Goals | 4 |
| xG | 1.99 |
| Chances created | 12 |
| Successful dribbles | 15 |
He’s been an unused substitute three times this year, with just 14 Premier League starts since he made the move last summer.
It means he averages 0.26 goals per 90, which actually places him among the top 26.6 per cent of Premier League wingers.
Everyone knows that there is a lot more to come from the former Club Brugge star, but without regular gametime, there is every chance we never see his full potential at the Stadium of Light.
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Regis Le Bris’ treatment of certain players raises questions
Talbi isn’t the only player to have shown quality and yet found himself almost frozen out, with Lutsharel Geertruida another to have suffered.
The Dutchman was a regular before links to Liverpool emerged in the winter, with the defender having also been an unused substitute in each of the Black Cats’ last three games.
Both players possess clear quality, and their lack of minutes is certainly strange to say the least.
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