What these four players have done proves Regis Le Bris will keep Sunderland in Premier League
Sunderland’s pre-season aim to avoid Premier League relegation is going to plan based off their promising start to the season.
The Black Cats sit ninth in the Premier League table and have benefited from the rapturous atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris has done a brilliant job at Sunderland, and four key players could prove to be all the difference between another season in the top flight and relegation.
Dan Ballard and Robin Roefs pivotal to Sunderland’s success
Sunderland face 20th-placed Wolves in their next Premier League match, and a win would send them 12 points clear of their opponents.
Dan Ballard has been fantastic in the air since joining Sunderland, and he’s carried that forward in the Premier League so far.
Ballard has made 94 appearances for the Black Cats since he arrived in 2022, scoring seven goals in the process.
The most important of the lot was the incredible last-gasp winner over Coventry in the Championship playoff semi-final that sent Sunderland to Wembley.
Nordi Mukiele has slotted into the side seamlessly, with his versatility proving to be a huge benefit to Sunderland.
Having arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, the French defender has played in all different positions across the defence.
Le Bris must be thrilled with how he has adapted to life in England, and there is still much more to come from him, especially if his athleticism can be used in his familiar right-back role.
| Appearances | 5 |
| Pass accuracy (percentage) | 81.9 |
| Duels won (percentage) | 69.4 |
| Aerial duels won (percentage) | 60 |
| Tackles | 17 |
| Blocks | 1 |
| Interceptions | 5 |
Omar Alderete has also taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, showcasing his brilliant aerial prowess and resilient style of defending.
The 28-year-old has made 10 interceptions, six blocks, and regained the ball a staggering 23 times.
Alderete made history for Sunderland by becoming the first Paraguayan to score for the club after his brilliant header against Nottingham Forest in September.
Whilst all three defenders are vital to Sunderland, no one is perhaps more important than goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
Robin Roefs has emerged into a fantastic signing for Aston Villa
Roefs has been a revelation for the Black Cats following his £11.5million transfer from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.
His performances in September earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award, and he has single-handedly earned Sunderland hard-fought results.
Very few goalkeepers adapt smoothly to the Premier League, yet Roefs has provided a calming presence throughout the season.
The 22-year-old has saved the only penalty he’s faced, whilst making 11 high claims.
Roefs can become a world-class goalkeeper in the future, and his spell in the Premier League can reach even further heights as Sunderland’s defence continues to improve.
Despite being predicted to finish rock-bottom at the start of the season, Sunderland are defying the odds at the moment, and these four stars are spearheading the charge to secure Premier League safety for the Black Cats supporters.
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