Defying Expectations: Sunderland’s Remarkable Rise in the Premier League

The dramatic play off run

As the 24/25 championship table came to a close Sunderland finished in 4th position on 76 points securing themselves an opportunity of taking the black cats back to where they belong. And with play offs coming up and Sunderland playing Coventry in the semi finals they knew it wasn’t going to be a free route to the final. The first leg was played away at Coventry, nerves lingered but Sunderland finished the game with a 2-1 win to take back to the Stadium of light and they came with a point to prove. As they got later into the game confidence started to grow and Sunderland entered the final 15 minutes of normal time with a one goal lead. That was until Coventry winger Ephron Mason-Clark brought it back to 2-2 on aggregate taking the game to extra time. The clocked ticked down and they entered added time of extra time where all expectations pointed towards a penalty shootout. However, Sunderland centre back Dan Ballard had other ideas as he rose from a corner and in the 122nd minute sent Sunderland into the play off final and the Stadium of light into an emphatic cauldron of chaos.

The final day came and all belief was within the Sunderland squad and faithful fans. However, a tricky opposition in Sheffield United had the same idea as Sunderland, return to the premier league. The game got underway and Sheffield United looked to have the greater desire as they took the lead in the first half from a Tyrese Campbell goal in the 25th minute. The game progressed and so did Sunderland slowly gaining more opportunities Eliezer Mayenda took his chance and equalized in the 76th minute giving all game momentum back to Sunderland. And with a fantastic strike in 95th minute from the departing Tom Watson the football gods had picked who they wanted back in the premier league. And that was Regis Le Bris Sunderland.

Recruitment and Departures.

The transfer window opened and Sunderland owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori quickly showed the ambition. Snapping up the experience of defenders Reinildo and Arthur Masuaku who had just become free agents. Also in defence Sunderland confirmed the signing of Lutsharel Geertruida on loan from RB Leipzig who has the ability to play across the backline. They also made the shrewd signing of 28 year old Omar Alderete for just £10 million pounds which so far has proved to be money well spent and Nordi Muikele from PSG in a deal worth up to £10.5 million pounds. Robin Roefs also joined the club for around £9.2 million pounds with the 22 year old having bags of potential Regis Le Bris and the recruitment staff backed him to show the league how good he really is. All of this activity in defence totalled an expenditure of £30 million pounds building a senior backline for this cheap in the modern game requires huge credit for Florent Ghisolfi and the Sunderland recruitment staff.

Onto Midfield and with the departure of teenage prodigy Jobe Bellingham for close to £27 million pounds to Borussia Dortmund it gave them a basis to build on. Sunderland agreed a deal to bring loanee Enzo Le Fee to the club on a permanent basis for £20 million pounds who has thrived in the premier league so far displaying his fantastic technical quality. Also signing Habib Diarra for £28 million pounds the intent was well and truly there however, sadly the Senegalese international picked up a groin injury which required surgery just 3 games into his premier league career. Then the signing of 20 year old Noah Sadiki and 32 year old seasoned vetran and leader Granit Xhaka for a combined transfer fee of around £28 million pounds really summed up Sunderlands fantastic business. The signing of Xhaka itself wasn’t just a good signing for player ability but the leadership and experience of premier league football he has brought with him is game changing.

Then in attack notable signings included Brian Brobbey from Ajax who has a unique profile of a short build however freakish strength has enabled Sunderland to have a fantastic outlet at all times. Chemsdine Talbi a tricky winger from Club Brugge and a surprising deal for Simon Adringa totalling Sunderlands summer expenditure to £165 million pounds.

This clever recruitment gave the side a blend of youthful talent with a point to prove, experienced profresionals and showed the premier league that they are here to stay.

Regis Le Bris and tactical analysis

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has the perfect pre managerial background to give those who knew anything about him and the Sunderland squad he is working with this season a strong belief that he will make this side one to be feared. Le Bris started his managerial career at youth level with Wasquehal, before joining the youth sector of Rennes in the same role. During his time as the Rennes U19 coach he took the squad to national victory in the Championnat National U19 a very impressive achievement for the coach.

In 2012 Le Bris rejected to offer to renew his contract with Rennes and instead joined Lorient as head of youth development and became the clubs U17 manager at the same time. Being the head of youth development the role mainly consists of recruiting youth level players for the club, implementing the clubs philosophy into the junior players and informing the clubs management of development. All of these attributes link nicely into the youthful side he has at Sunderland with an average age of 25.4 years old and many talented players who are looking at taking the jump into premier league football. Le Bris knows exactly what it takes for that development to take place and that is why the squad seems to be catered to his strengths.

Le Bris has set up Sunderland in many different ways this season highlighting his adaptable nature. They have been very difficult to break down however, it isn’t just down to defending in a low block. Often Le Bris sets Sunderland up at the start of matches aggressively pressing high man for man and their ability to execute this well has been massively impressive for the coach.

The decision to do this for a newly promoted side is bold and often frowned upon due to the lack of defensive solidity and massive spaces left when a side successfully plays through the press. It also leaves players with larger distances to cover in the turnover meaning rotation is crucial as the overload on the players can become extreme. Sunderland often use back passes as the trigger for the press. When Sunderland are pushed back they take a zonal approach to defending blocking space most commonly in a 4-4-2 however, in games against both Chelsea and later Manchester United Sunderland defended in a back 5 reinforcing Le Bris willingness to adapt. Having 11 players capable of deploying many different out of possession set ups makes them an incredibly hard opponent to play against. And when the ball is played into the box all Sunderlands defenders have proved themselves as impressive individual duellers.

In possession Sunderland opt for a positional style of play. This means Le Bris wants his team to occupy specific zones but generally the same spaces have a player within them. Sunderland build out from the back with the full backs both creating width by holding the touchline and the centre backs split just further than the six yard box on either side. This then allows the double pivot of Xhaka and Sadiki to come deep and show for the ball with many options. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs is not afraid to go long in route one fashion to Brian Brobbey.

Once possession is established Sunderland begin to work on breaking the opponent down with Xhaka often dropping in defence to dictate play with more time and space and having Alderete who was the most incisive passer in La liga last season compared to centre backs with 15 plus games it makes progressing from back to front quickly and effectively far easier. Sunderland tend to look to create dangerous opportunities from crossing positions with high flying full backs being key on the overlap or working to create triangles as Xhaka drifts into the wide area to be the positioned well for a cut back and the crossing opportunity presents itself.

Now after a 3-0 loss to Brentford, Sunderland sit 9th just 3 points away from a champions league spot 21 games in. Regis Le Bris is really working his magic this season and it is massively helped by smart recruitment and the Stadium of Lights fierce atmosphere.

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