Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris names his starting XI to face Brentford as Nordi Mukiele comes into the side
Nordi Mukiele comes into Le Bris’ league side at centre-half after making his Sunderland debut against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender, who arrived on Wearside this summer, partners fellow new signing Omar Alderete at the heart of the defence, with Jenson Seelt dropping to the bench.
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The pairing of Mukiele and Alderete marks Sunderland’s fourth different centre-back partnership in just three league games so far this season. Trai Hume starts at right-back, with Reinildo Mandava operating on the opposite flank. Robin Roefs – who this week received his first senior call-up to the Netherlands national team – continues in goal to complete Sunderland’s defensive five.
It is unchanged in midfield following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor, with Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra lining up alongside captain Granit Xhaka for the third consecutive Premier League fixture. Further forward, Enzo Le Fee starts his first game of the season on the left wing, with Chemsdine Talbi on the right. Eliezer Mayenda also keeps his place up front despite his costly missed chance against Burnley seven days ago.
Wilson Isidor took a place on Sunderland’s bench despite welcoming his new daughter to the world in recent weeks while Brentford handed a start to former Sunderland and Liverpool player Jordan Henderson after his return to England from Ajax this summer.
Sunderland starting XI: Roefs, Hume, Reinildo, Alderete, Mukiele, Xhaka, Diarra, Sadiki, Le Fee, Talbi, Mayenda
Sunderland substitutes: Patterson, Seelt, Masuakau, Rigg, Neil, Roberts, Adingra, Guiu, Isidor
Régis Le Bris provides Dan Neil contract update
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has provided an update on the club’s ongoing contract talks with midfielder Dan Neil, who has entered the final 12 months of his current deal.
The Sunderland head coach added: “It is always a shared decision in the end. If we can’t find a solution and he stays, then I, as a manager, will be happy because he is a good player and a good person. He is really well-connected with the project.”
However, Le Bris still sounded hopeful when pressed further on the situation between Neil and the club: “Then at the end of the season, if he has to leave, then he will leave if we can’t find any other solution. I still think there is a chance of progress [over a contract], though. I am still optimistic.”
Neil, 23, reportedly turned down interest from Premier League and La Liga clubs earlier this summer to remain at Sunderland and fight for his place in Le Bris’ side. Despite fierce competition for midfield spots following a significant summer investment, his focus remains on fulfilling his boyhood ambition of representing his hometown club in the Premier League. Despite that, a new deal between Neil and Sunderland has yet to be agreed upon.
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