Nordi Mukiele has already explained which position he will play for Sunderland
Sunderland are now closing in on the signing of versatile defender Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain.
Mukiele spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen with Granit Xhaka, and will now follow him to the Stadium of Light.
The 27-year-old will become Sunderland’s 12th signing of the summer, and his versatility could see him play at centre-back and right-back.
The Frenchman has previously played for RB Leipzig, PSG and others, and it is now becoming clearer which position he will play in under Regis Le Bris.
Mukiele comfortable at centre-back and right-back
Mukiele has clearly been targeted for his versatility and experience with Sunderland back in the Premier League, and his ability to play at both centre-back and right-back could prove very useful.
- At 1.87 metres tall, the Frenchman has the physicality to play in both positions, and he has even played further up the pitch.
- Mukiele has played across the back line, as well as in wing-back positions and even occasionally in midfield.
Speaking during his days at Leipzig, Mukiele revealed that he has no preference over which of the two positions he will play, and claimed that he can adapt his game to perfectly suit both roles.
| Stat | Mukiele |
| Appearances | 146 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 11 |
“I came through the youth academy as a centre-back, but then I played a whole Ligue 2 season at right-back with Laval,” Mukiele explained.
“I don’t have a preference, because I manage to adapt to both positions, independent of the system.”
“I played in every position as a kid, just not in attack. I was never much of a goalscorer.”
With Sunderland lacking depth at right-back, it seems likely that he will mostly play there, but could move centrally if needed.
What shirt number could Mukiele wear at Sunderland?
With a deal likely to be completed soon, Mukiele could slot straight into the squad, and his shirt number of choice is now becoming clearer.
His most common squad number in the past has been 22, which he wore at Leipzig, but Robin Roefs has already claimed that following his arrival earlier this summer.
Mukiele also likes the number 26, which is currently occupied by fellow new full-back Arthur Masuaku, who joined as a free agent earlier this week.
The number 20 shirt is vacant, and Mukiele wore this number earlier on in his career at Stade Lavallois in France. Now, he could go back to his roots and wear the same number in the Premier League.
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