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Sunderland's Best Starting XI After Summer Transfer Window Ahead Of Brentford Clash
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- Sunderland's Best Starting XI After Summer Transfer Window Ahead Of Brentford Clash
Sunderland made six signings over the course of the summer transfer window in several key positions, with experience, strength in depth, and youthful prospects added to the Black Cats' ranks.
The Stadium of Light transfer team added six players to Regis Le Bris' squad, with free agent Thomas Meunier, Spurs loanee Kevin Danso, Dayann Méthalie, Jules Ahoka, Malick Fofana, and Juan Riquelme Angulo all arriving on Wearside this summer.
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With the window now closed for business in the Premier League, but still open elsewhere as Chemsdine Talbi explores a move from Sunderland to Al-Ittihad , Le Bris has some major selection calls to make ahead of today's (Saturday, September 5) trip to Brentford .
Le Bris' starting XI will inevitably not include everyone at his disposal, due to the recent injury blow for Habib Diarra , which came against Fulham last time out, but below SunderlandRoundtable runs through our strongest side the Black Cats boss can currently name.
Sunderland's Best Starting XI After Summer Transfer Window
Goalkeeper
Clearly, Robin Roefs needs no explanation, and there is the bonus of the Sunderland goalkeeper penning a new long-term deal this summer.
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Right-back
Right-back is a difficult position to call, with Le Bris having Trai Hume, free agent signing Meunier and Nordi Mukiele at his disposal in this role.
However, given Meunier's impressive performances at the start of the season, seeing the veteran defender cover the most ground of any player in the Premier League before gameweek three, his blend of experience and quality gives him the nod over Hume, just.
Thomas Meunier in action for Sunderland vs Ipswicb Town (REUTERS)
Centre-back
Evidently, Mukiele must feature somewhere for Sunderland , given what a Goliath defender he is, and his performance against Fulham showcased why being in the centre of the Black Cats' backline is his best position.
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Centre-back
Mukiele's central defensive partner is an interesting one, with Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete and new Spurs loanee Danso fighting for the role.
Sunderland are yet to see Danso, who comes with high acclaim from one Tottenham expert , so it is hard to warrant the Austrian international displacing either Ballard or Alderete just yet.
Given that Alderete is a natural left-footer, and an assured defender, he and Mukiele for now constitute Sunderland's most-effective centre-back partnership, but that could well change over the course of the season.
Left-back
Left-back is another contentious one, with the near £26m addition of French youth international Methalie, and the presence of former Atletico Madrid stalwart Reinildo in the role.
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Reinildo has been nothing but dependable for Sunderland since arriving from the La Liga giants on a free transfer last summer, and with Methalie yet to make his debut in red-and-white, the veteran defender would have to get the nod for now but the French starlet is certainly an exciting one to keep a keen eye on.
Central midfield
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, who Chelsea failed to sign this summer, will forever be the first name on Le Bris' teamsheet for as long as he is fit and featuring for the Black Cats.
Central midfield
Alongside Xhaka, Noah Sadiki provides the athleticism and legs to connect defense to attack, and he is another like the Sunderland captain who thankfully stayed this summer.
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Central midfield
Playmaker Enzo Le Fee makes up the final spot of Le Bris' midfield trio, with his creative flair and technical prowess in this role yet to fully shine this season, but will be the key to Sunderland's attacking exploits going forwards.
Right-wing
With Sunderland failing to sign a specialisist right-winger this summer, trademark left-winger Nilson Angulo, new boy Fofana, as well as full-back Hume and the currently injured Diarra will be fighting for this role, atleast until the mid-season window where the Black Cats hopefully remedy this transfer error.
Diarra showed promise down the right flank with his assist for Wilson Isidor's winner last time out against Fulham, but with the Senegalese star now sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, Le Bris will likely give Angulo the nod, hopefully instead of defensive-minded Hume.
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Left-wing
On the left flank of attack, £31m signing of highly-rated winger Fofana will be Le Bris' first-choice, with the Belgian starlet's pace, attacking dynamism, and stunning ability in 1v1 situations poised to set the Premier League alight.
Malick Fofana in action for Lyon before Sunderland move (REUTERS)
Striker
The starting number nine role is another contentious one, with some Sunderland fans wanting Isidor to get the nod over Brian Brobbey following the Haitian's impressive early-season form.
In Le Bris' mind, neither striker tends to play the full 90 minutes, with Brobbey usually starting from the off and Isidor coming on to replace him in the second-half as a 'finisher'.
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As we saw last season, Sunderland's attack looks most potent and unified with the bullish Brobbey leading the line, meaning he still slightly gets the nod from the start over Isidor.
Still, it is a fantastic asset to have last the latter's raw pace and runs in behind to impact games from the bench as he did so brilliantly to secure the win over Fulham.
