The latest Sunderland AFC news, via Luke Carr.
With two-thirds of the Premier League season gone, Sunderland’s exceptional campaign has caught the eye of football fans and Fantasy Premier League managers alike.
Under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, Sunderland’s return to the top flight has exceeded all expectations, with the Black Cats 11th in the table with 36 points, and several players have become smart FPL picks thanks to their standout performances. Here’s a look at Sunderland’s top five FPL point scorers so far.
1. Nordi Mukiele
Points -107
Price - £4.6m
Sunderland’s top FPL point scorer this season so far is Mukiele. The Frenchman has become a vital asset for Le Bris’ side thanks to his remarkable versatility, which has made him a near-constant presence in the Black Cats’ defence. Since arriving on Wearside for £11m, the defender is a contender for bargain of the season, and he has also proved his worth at the other end of the field with his four assists, making him the club’s joint-highest provider.
At a tremendous FPL value of £4.6m, Mukiele averages almost five points per game, and that, combined with his long throws, which provide additional opportunities for assists, makes him easily one of the best players an FPL manager can pick this season.
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2. Robin Roefs
Points - 105
Price - £5.1m
Brought into Sunderland last summer for just £11.5m, it’s looking like Roefs could be another contender for bargain of the season. The Dutchman has been nothing short of exceptional since arriving on Wearside, with the second-highest save percentage in the league, including a penalty save against Brentford on Wearside in August, which helped the Black Cats secure a 2-1 win.
So it will come as no surprise that Roefs has the third-highest points total of all the goalkeepers in the league, averaging more than four points per match. At just £5.1m, he remains one of the best-value assets for FPL managers.
3. Dan Ballard
Points - 93
Price - £4.6m
Following his play-off heroics that earned him a place in Sunderland folklore, Ballard has been an indispensable figure in Le Bris’s back line. The Northern Irishman has the third highest number of successful aerial duels in the Premier League, and he has also contributed in the attacking penalty area with two goals.
Ballard is priced at just £4.5m and, as a regular in a defence that has kept eight clean sheets, it’s a no-brainer for FPL managers looking for an inexpensive defender capable of earning defensive points and contributing the odd goal.
4. Granit Xhaka
Points - 90
Price - £5.1m
It goes without saying that Xhaka is one of the Premier League’s signings of the season, with the former Arsenal midfielder the heartbeat of this Sunderland side on and off the pitch. He is Sunderland’s leading provider of assists with five to his name already, and the Switzerland international also plays a crucial role in protecting Sunderland’s well-structured defence, recording an impressive 10.87 DEFCONS per 90 minutes.
Xhaka is currently injured, but when fit again in two to three weeks, he could be a great pick as a reliable and well-rounded FPL option for managers looking for consistent returns.
5. Enzo Le Fee
Points - 88
Price - £4.9m
Enzo Le Fee has been sensational for Le Bris’ side this season, taking his game to a whole new level while cementing his status as a fan favourite on Wearside. Along with Mukiele, the French midfielder is Sunderland’s joint-second highest assist provider and has created 31 chances overall for his team - more than any other Black Cats player. At £4.9m, and owned by just 1.9 percent of FPL managers, Le Fee is an excellent differential asset.
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