Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris pre-match with a neutral expression.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris pre-match with a neutral expression.
Le Bris' job is under serious threat right now as Sunderland struggle for form across numerous competitions.
They slipped to a second successive loss against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and have now won just one of their last six matches.
Zagreb made light work of the Black Cats as they scored twice in the first-half to seal a 2-0 Europa League victory.
Ahoka impressed on a rare appearance at the Stadium of Light and many fans could not believe that he was taken off before the struggling Granit Xhaka.
Le Bris clearly needs to act drastically to stay in a job beyond this weekend, and the 20-year-old midfielder deserves a place in the side ahead of other stars with more experience.
Jules Ahoka is ready to impress for Sunderland in the Premier League
Ahoka arrived on Wearside in the summer with real pedigree, signing a five-year deal for £8.6million from Royal Antwerp.
The DR Congo youth international made his Black Cats debut in a Carabao Cup win over Hull in September, and despite their poor form, they are yet to lose any of the four games in which he has featured for 90 minutes.
He has only been handed 25 minutes of league action from the bench so far behind more established Sunderland midfielders, but clearly looks ready to make his mark against Chelsea from the off.
Ahoka is among the best-performing Europa League midfielders so far for non-penalty xG (0.31), duels won (5.2), touches in the opposition box (3.2) and recoveries (6) per 90 minutes, while he is yet to be dispossessed in 225 minutes of action.
He was one of their standouts in midweek, with 89 per cent pass accuracy (16/18), 100 per cent of his ground duels won (3/3) and two successful tackles made.
It baffled many to see him taken off at the break ahead of Xhaka, who looked well off the pace and only seemed to stay on because he wears the captain's armband.
Ahoka will be well-rested ahead of Sunday's key clash for Le Bris at home to the Blues, however, and deserves his first league start ahead of either Xhaka or Noah Sadiki.
Le Bris has sung Ahoka's praises but now must take the plunge
Le Bris' team selections have been questioned by swathes of Sunderland supporters and this Sunday's starting side could well end up being the last he picks.
Ahoka has shown that he has the quality to impress against strong European opposition and he looks ready to add some much needed physicality and power to their midfield against Chelsea.
The Black Cats manager has already appreciated the 20-year-old's talents in public, as he praised him last month after a first Sunderland goal against Torrense, saying: "He's really young, and this game shows how much potential he has. He has the ability to be well connected with the squad, the ability to understand tactical concepts and to connect with his team mates.
"And he has this physicality, this impact in the box. Really huge potential. He has played against Hull, and in the training sessions with us and the game here he is showing it is possible for him to step up to the team with us. It's true."