The versatile defender almost left the club in the closing stages of the January transfer window
Lutsharel Geertruida has found himself in somewhat of an unusual position at Sunderland this season.
He is, very clearly, an absolutely integral member of Régis Le Bris’s squad. He plays in most games, and has been key to a number of memorable victories across a wide range of positions. And yet he is an international player, with Champions League experience, who has been unable to pin down a place in the starting XI.
Hence why when Liverpool came calling late in the January transfer window, in the middle of a World Cup year, there was a feeling that a deal might be done. In the end it did not materialise, Sunderland simply unable to replace a player of his calibre across three or four positions at short notice.
Geertruida was quickly back in the squad and then on the pitch on Monday night, highlighting how quickly all parties had moved on from that brief transfer saga. Speaking ahead of the trip to Arsenal this weekend, Le Bris said he could understand any frustration on the player’s part but insisted he remains a crucial player, the clear ‘eleventh’ player in his squad of outfield players.
“Yes, it's a good point,” Le Bris said.
“I think his main strength is versatility, and probably in this industry, the most usual pathway is to stay in one position. I think we have to value his versatility, because it's his strength. And for him, it's a complex situation, because he's really useful for the squad. Often the 11th [for] game time for 10 positions on the pitch, but still the 11th, which is really good in the Premier League.
“And the ambition to be a starter is normal for a footballer. The World Cup, with this future in his mind, is really important as well. So many things are combined, and can add the complexity of the transfer window, with many rumours, many opportunities. But facts are facts, it's just the end of the process, do you want to sign or not, and it wasn't so clear finally.”
While Sunderland would clearly like to add Geertruida to their squad on a permanent basis this summer, Le Bris admits it’s too early to know whether that will be possible. They do have an option to buy included as part of their loan arrangement with RB Leipzig, but that would of course require agreement from all parties including the player.
“I don't know, to be fair, I don't know,” Le Bris said.
“I really appreciate his profile, the person as well, he's a good team-mate in the dressing room. Like Trai, for example. Trai is our captain, right-back, left-back, centre-back, right-winger, midfielder. So the versatility in modern football is key. Probably you can't have six or seven players like that, but at least two or three are really important, and I think Lucha is this kind of player.”
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Why Régis Le Bris was really pleased with Chemsdine Talbi’s goal against Burnley
Having already scored at Anfield and Stamford Bridge this season, Le Bris is hoping that young winger Chemsdine Talbi can score another memorable goal on Saturday after his brilliant strike against Burnley.
“I really appreciated his goal but not only that... that he tried something difficult,” Le Bris said.
“Our wingers and offensive players, it is really important to take risks like that from outside the box. We are trying to improve this part of our game. It is not the easiest part of the pitch because defences are so compact and if you make a mistake, you might face a counter attack. So I give my player licence to take risks and the freedom to have a go like that. I want to see more shots and that aspect of the game is getting better and that was a good example.
“Talbi is gaining more confidence.”
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