Sunderland have made a gentle begin to the season, however after the heights of 2025/26, there is no query that Regis Le Bris and his facet are in for a really completely different take a look at this time round.
The bonus of Europa League soccer is an excellent marker of how far the Wearside outfit have are available in such a short while, nevertheless it does stretch a squad who had been unable to make sweeping modifications this summer time.
This group want each participant to carry out if they will make it one other emphatic marketing campaign. What they do not want is star striker Brian Brobbey to select up a muscular harm whereas on worldwide obligation with the Netherlands.
The most recent on Brobbey health
Fortunately, it does not appear like Brobbey is about for an prolonged spell on the sidelines after injuring himself towards Germany with the Dutch.
The 24-year-old will miss the weekend conflict towards Brighton & Hove Albion within the Premier League. Nevertheless, Le Bris has confirmed that the problem is simply a short-term downside.
Sunderland have simply misplaced back-to-back Premier League video games, albeit towards Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal, albeit having performed very properly each instances, aggrieved to not have earned some extent, extra.
Through the latest 5-3 defeat on the Etihad, Brobbey was unbelievable, placing on an absolute clinic, a masterclass in link-up play and power and energy and positioning as a striker towards a world-class Premier League defence.
|
Brian Brobbey vs Man Metropolis |
|
|---|---|
|
Stats |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Objectives scored |
3 |
|
Touches |
36 |
|
Photographs (on track) |
5 (4) |
|
Correct passes |
15/18 (83%) |
|
Probabilities created |
1 |
|
Dribbles accomplished |
2/2 |
|
Floor duels received |
6/7 |
|
Aerial duels received |
4/5 |
His hat-trick was spectacular, however the general efficiency was extra spectacular nonetheless, and it’ll be troublesome to interchange him.
However Le Bris wants to interchange him all the identical.
Sunderland star should be handed first begin of 26/27
Over the previous a number of weeks, quite a few doable options to Sunderland’s Brobbey harm blow have been bandied about.
Nevertheless, maybe the best way to go is the apparent one: Wilson Isidor is able to step up and make his first Premier League begin of the season.
The Haiti worldwide has made 5 appearances within the Premier League this 12 months, however every time from the bench. Final time period, he left lots to be desired, a weak hyperlink as Le Bris’ squad went from power to power.
He solely accomplished 25% of his dribbles and received 29% of his floor duels within the division, so there is no query that that might want to enhance if he’s going to offer the form of problem for quantity 9 that may really threaten Brobbey in his beginning berth.
Nevertheless, he is off the mark for the season, having netted the winner as Sunderland defeated Fulham on their first league conflict on the Stadium of Mild this season. That being mentioned, that was solely his third aim for the membership in the entire of 2026.
Isidor, 26, joined Sunderland from Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia for about £5m. He performed an instrumental function in securing promotion from the Championship, however discovered the Premier League to be a unique ballpark, solely beginning 11 instances all 12 months.
That mentioned, he scored six aim, and he solely missed two massive probabilities in addition to. Hailed as a “one-man machine” by Sky Sports activities journalist Dougie Critchley, he’s highly effective and well-oiled inside Le Bris’ system.
Consider Isidor as Brobbey lite. He is aware of easy methods to get caught right into a battle with powerful defenders, and that ought to make him good to problem Brighton’s beefy backline.
Isidor continues to be part of this Sunderland journey, and he certainly has an element to play. The Black Cats solely have one Premier League win this season, delivered by Isidor’s crisp strike.
His power and motion parallels that of Brobbey. He won’t be on the identical degree, however this ahead can do a job towards the Seagulls on the weekend.
