Nordi Mukiele (187cm/6’2”, 84kg/185lbs) has become an integral part of Régis Le Bris’ Sunderland tactics in the Wearside club’s mission for Premier League survival.
The 27-year-old former France international arrived at the Stadium of Light from European champions Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a €12m transfer fee, having spent last season out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso tactics.
Mukiele failed to nail down a starting spot in two seasons at PSG (2022/2023 and 2023/2024), and he was also largely reduced to a squad player role in the Bundesliga last term.
At the time of writing this piece, however, Mukiele has played the entirety of Sunderland’s last seven Premier League games, a period during which the Black Cats have earned four wins and lost just once (2-0 versus Manchester United at Old Trafford).
This Nordi Mukiele scout report and player analysis outline the crucial defensive role Mukiele has played under Régis Le Bris so far this term.
Our analysis explains how the Nordi Mukiele style of play has kept some of the English top-flight’s best forwards quiet and, though it’s early days, put Sunderland in a strong position to avoid relegation, with Le Bris’ side now boasting 17 points from their first nine games.
Nordi Mukiele Role In Régis Le Bris Sunderland Tactics
Régis Le Bris has already set his Sunderland side up in a variety of different formations so far this term.
Last season, as Total Football Analysis analysed in our article on Régis Le Bris’ successful tactics to earn promotion from the EFL Championship 2024/2025, the Breton coach primarily utilised a back four, shifting between a 4-3-3 formation and a 4-2-3-1 shape.
That’s remained consistent in 2025/2026, though Le Bris has also shown a willingness to revert to a back five, with Sunderland playing a 5-4-1 in their 1-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this past weekend.
Nordi Mukiele profiles as a right centre-back/right-back hybrid, making him a useful option for Régis Le Bris in either a back four or a back five.
Mukiele can reliably play as a right centre-back in any formation and as a right-back in a back four.
As full-backs go, Mukiele is quite defensive.
Therefore, he wouldn’t be a good wing-back option; Trai Hume and Timothée Pembélé represent far better choices for the Black Cats if they want an attacking full-back on the right side.
Though a capable ball-carrier and a willing progressive passer, Nordi Mukiele’s standout attributes are undoubtedly out of possession.
He’s a good defensive full-back or wide centre-back option.
Versatility is crucial to successful squad building, especially for newly promoted clubs whose resources are much more stretched than those of established Premier League sides.
With that in mind, Nordi Mukiele is an example of some astute recruitment by the North-East club, considering the potential options he gives to his team through his player profile.
Nordi Mukiele Stats
Mukiele played a similar hybrid right centre-back/full-back role with Bayer Leverkusen last season, often lining up behind the ultra-attacking now-Liverpool wing-back Jeremie Frimpong on that side of Die Werkself’s backline last term.
When we turn our attention to Figure 1 below, it’s clear why Sunderland signed Nordi Mukiele for 2025/2026.
Nordi Mukiele Pizza Chart 2024/2025
nordi-mukiele-scout-report-sunderland-2025-2026-analysis-tactics
Figure 1: Nordi Mukiele’s performance at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024/2025 illustrated via percentile ranks in key metrics compared with other right centre-backs from Europe’s top-five leagues.
Indeed, his attacking metrics jump out: He can offer a goal threat from set-pieces and is comfortable playing from the back.
However, the main takeaway is undoubtedly his defensive duel success.
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