Nafisa
๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ด๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป โ ๐ด ๐ก๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐บ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐, ๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐จ๐ฝ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ถ๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐! โฝ
Sunderland are closing in on their long-anticipated Premier League return, with just under two weeks remaining before the Stadium of Light hosts top-flight football once again. Regis Le Bris faces some tough decisions as he shapes his starting eleven for the opening weekend, with only two friendlies remaining against Augsburg and Rayo Vallecano to finalize his plans. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Real Betis offered a mixed bag: promising individual displays offset by frustrating absences.
Notably, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, along with Wilson Isidor, Chris Rigg, and Dennis Cirkin, all missed outโgiving Le Bris a selection headache. In their absence, new recruit Robin Roefs made a strong impression and is now expected to start between the sticks. Trai Humeโs solid pre-season means heโs locked in at right back, while Dan Ballard is guaranteed to anchor the back line. Reinildo Mandava, another summer addition, impressed in a central role and could retain his spot unless further defensive reinforcements arrive in time.
Midfield looks increasingly settled, with Granit Xhaka tipped to be named captain showcasing his trademark control and experience. Alongside him, club record signing Habib Diarra appears the leading candidate, though competition from Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fรฉe remains fierce. Dan Neilโs absence from the recent Betis clash suggests he may currently be out of favour, while Chris Riggโs return from injury could complicate matters further.
On the flanks, Chelmsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra are front-runners, having earned regular minutes in pre-season, although both have yet to find their cutting edge in the final third. Up front, Eliezer Mayenda leads the race to start, but Wilson Isidor’s imminent return could alter that. The looming arrival of Chelsea striker Marc Guiu who is reportedly undergoing a medical could further shake up the forward line.
Three key questions remain for Le Bris: who will partner Ballard at centre-back, who grabs the final midfield spot, and who starts as the main striker. With competition heating up and time running out, Sunderland’s Premier League opener promises high drama before a ball is even kicked.
Nafisa
