Roy Keane picks out two Sunderland signings who have been game-changing for Regis Le Bris
Sunderland have had a fantastic start to the season as they sit seventh in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris’ side have been phenomenal in both halves of the pitch, with the Mackems still unbeaten at the Stadium of Light following their 1-1 draw vs Aston Villa.
Wilson Isidor has been superb for Sunderland, whilst several new additions have stepped up brilliantly for Le Bris.
Sunderland had a busy transfer window, signing 13 players in a bid to become the first promoted side to achieve survival since Bournemouth, Fulham, and Nottingham Forest in 2022/23.
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has been very impressed with some of Sunderland’s recruitment in the summer.
Roy Keane impressed with Granit Xhaka and Robin Roefs
Xhaka and Roefs have joined Sunderland in very different stages of their careers, yet both have been equally brilliant for the Black Cats.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast on 25 September, Keane admired both players’ start to the season.
He said: “Sunderland’s recruitment has been very good, the goalkeeper has been good, they’ve got Xhaka with a bit of experience, they’ve got energy, and they’ve got quality.
“He brings you that little experience and quality, you’ve got young energy around you, I think they’ve got a great balance to their team.”
Xhaka is an unbelievable coup for Sunderland, with the 32-year-old’s experience in the Premier League proving invaluable in the early stages of this season.
The Switzerland international spent seven years at Arsenal before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 and winning a historic double under Xabi Alonso.
- Won the FA Cup in 2017 and 2020 with Arsenal
- Wins the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal at Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24, with the team going fully unbeaten in the domestic season
- Sunderland sign Xhaka for £17m in July
Xhaka provided the game-winning assist versus Brentford, whilst his deft header against Aston Villa set up Wilson Isidor for the equaliser.
Rarely has a promoted team been able to convince a player of such high calibre to join them, but that’s exactly what Le Bris managed to do.
As for Roefs, his singing from NEC Nijmegen was one that was nowhere near as high-profile, yet his impact on the team has been extraordinary.
Roefs’ performance against Crystal Palace was extraordinary, with the goalkeeper bailing out the defence multiple times as Sundelrand left Selhurst Park with a point.
| Goals conceded | 4 |
| Clean sheets | 2 |
| Penalties saved | 1 |
| Save percentage | 77.8 |
| Goals prevented | 0.92 |
Whilst he made a mistake for Aston Villa’s goal on Sunday, it’s clear that Roefs will gain Sunderland a lot more points throughout the season.
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Sunderland reaping the rewards of their successful transfer strategy
Florent Ghisolfi and Kristjaan Speakman have clearly nailed this summer’s transfer window.
Many promoted teams in the past have focused on young, unknown players to help guide them to safety.
Fulham in 2018/19, or Burnley in 2023/24, are classic examples of teams that have failed to survive in the Premier League due to their squad not being able to handle the pressure of the top flight.
Sunderland adopted an approach of signing experienced players throughout the spine of the team; Nordi Mukiele, Xhaka, Brian Brobbey, and Omar Alderete, whilst signing exciting talents who can be game-changers; Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, and Habib Diarra.
Roefs is clearly an anomaly, with the 22-year-old goalkeeper playing as if he were 32 through the calmness he has shown in between the sticks.
Yet overall, Sunderland’s recruitment plan has been clear and structured, with fans currently ecstatic following the team’s success in the league.
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