Three Sunderland players who could explode in 2026-27 as European journey commences
Sunderland are looking to build on their impressive Premier League return as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.
Settling into top-flight life seamlessly, the Black Cats would secure a seventh-place finish on the final day with a 2-1 win against Chelsea.
As a result, Regis Le Bris' side sealed their first-ever spot in Europe, where they will play Europa League football alongside Bournemouth.
Upon their ascent last May, the Wearsiders recruited well, with the top-level experience of Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo and more proving vital at the Stadium of Light.
After an impressive return, Le Bris will be looking to continue building next term, while a late European run will be among the season targets.
To do so, the recruitment will once again be crucial.
However, Mackem News takes a look at those within the Sunderland ranks who could be set to explode next season.
Chemsdine Talbi
Joining the club from Belgian giants Club Brugge in the summer of 2025, Moroccan wideman Chemsdine Talbi enjoyed a relatively productive campaign in the North East.
Scoring four times and registering two assists in the league, his numbers did not exactly skyrocket, but the talent was most clearly there.
Across the campaign, Le Bris continued to tinker with his system - often resulting in Talbi playing on either flank.
As the season went on, though, it became clear that he is much more efficient out on the left.
Capable of utilising his sensational right foot, the Moroccan was able to prove himself as a real difference maker when given chance to shift and shoot.
The next step is consistency - something that Le Bris will be ever so keen for him to build next term.
Sunderland will be competing across four competitions, and they will need to call upon their squad depth as a result.
Even if Talbi is not granted his favoured position in the league, he can more than make a difference as the Black Cats aim for a strong run in Europe.
Habib Diarra
Sunderland's record signing Habib Diarra endured a difficult start to life at the Stadium of Light.
Arriving for a fee of around £30million last summer, the Senegalese international had to wait months before making an impact.
After starting each of the opening four matches, the midfielder would undergo groin surgery in September, before his return before AFCON kept him out of action in red and white for even longer.
Making his full return at the end of January, Diarra would net his first goals for the club in early February - scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Burnley.
The following months would prove more difficult, with questions from the fanbase emerging, coinciding with a poor run of form for the Black Cats.
In the final three matches, he would appear from the bench - though he did make a real difference in the latter stages against Everton and Chelsea.
Full of energy, Diarra could be a real difference maker when it comes to how quickly Sunderland move the ball next season.
And after a far-from-ideal debut year, he simply has to be given time to become the player expected after the sizeable fee.
Nilson Angulo
Making the move from Anderlecht in January, Ecuadorian winger Nilson Angulo was the latest addition to join the youthful core on Wearside.
Indicative of the overall quality within Le Bris' ranks, the wideman would be handed time to bed into English football after breaking through in Belgium.
With blistering pace, and the ability to play on either flank, the potential is most certainly there with the Ecuadorian, though this may take some harnessing.
In his debut year, he would make eight Premier League appearances, racking up 406 minutes in the process.
Injury issues would keep him sidelined between March and May, before he started the final two of the year - signifying the growing trust from Le Bris.
With a pre-season under his belt, and potentially a starring role at the World Cup, he could be someone to look out for next term, as Sunderland look to make a statement across multiple competitions.