Regis Le Bris has exciting new Sunderland weapon as remarkable stats emerge after win vs Wolves
Regis Le Bris appears to have unearthed an incredible new weapon for Sunderland after their 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
The Black Cats climbed up to seventh with their latest victory, which could potentially be a pivotal three points against a team who are widely expected to be in the relegation battle this season.
Sunderland were heavily praised by Micah Richards following Saturday’s significant result, as they notched their third win from four league outings at the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ men have surprised many with the excellent start that they have made on their return to the top flight, and the evidence shows that the boss has certainly stumbled onto something good.
Nordi Mukiele was phenomenal at right-back for Sunderland
Nordi Mukiele netted his first Sunderland goal in the early stages on Saturday, before the result was then put beyond doubt thanks to a stoppage-time own goal from Ladislav Krejci.
The Frenchman is still just seven games into his career on Wearside after he arrived from PSG in the summer, but he is already making a big name for himself with the Black Cats.
The centre-back has already turned in several eye-catching displays for the newly-promoted outfit, but he produced his best performance of the campaign so far against Wolves, despite the fact that he played away from his preferred position.
- Mukiele completed more defensive actions than anyone else in the game
- He won 78.9% of his duels throughout proceedings
Mukiele was used at right-back by Le Bris on Saturday, as Trai Hume switched to the opposite flank, and he may well be playing there more often after the impact that he made.
The defender was phenomenal for his side, as showcased by the remarkable stats that Sunderland posted on their X account on Sunday.
The former RB Leipzig man was at his imperious best throughout the 90 minutes, winning an impressive 15 duels and regaining possession for his team on seven occasions.
However, he was equally brilliant going forward, as he completed both of the take-ons that he attempted, and also found the back of the net.
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Regis Le Bris may use Nordi Mukiele at right-back more often
Hume and Reinildo are Sunderland’s first-choice full-backs when both are fit and available, but Le Bris will surely be tempted to use Mukiele on the right again after what he saw against Wolves.
He terrorised Santiago Bueno all afternoon with his direct running, which isn’t something that you would necessarily expect from a big, strapping centre-back.
Mukiele also delivered an unexpected quality in the final third, which showcased his natural ability as a footballer, and certainly will have opened a door for Le Bris moving forward.
If the boss is without either of his favoured options for a game or needs to change things late on, then switching Mukiele out wide could be a viable option for him to shake things up.
His presence is still needed at the centre of the defence, but it is certainly a huge positive for Le Bris to have discovered yet another new weapon.
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