In football, expectations change like the wind. It's not very long ago that Sunderland fans just wanted to end their interminable stay in League One, and now hopes are bound to a top-ten Premier League finish.
After beating Oxford United in the FA Cup, a Championship-style match that the players relished, Dennis Cirkin said, "We want to win it."
Expectations have changed at the Stadium of Light, and Regis Le Bris has created something special. The integration of so many new signings alongside existing players who propelled the club into the top flight has been nothing short of brilliant. Many others in recent years have spent a lot and had little to show for it, save for drained bank accounts and tickets back down to the second tier.
Granit Xhaka has been a sensation, the difference-maker, but he's not alone in his success, with club-record signing Habib Diarra also settling nicely into his role.
How Habib Diarra's getting on at Sunderland
Diarra has had a tougher time than most. Sidelined for much of the season with a groin injury before spending the post-festive period out at AFCON with triumphant Senegal, the 22-year-old has only played nine times in the Premier League.
habib-diarra-sunderland
However, his quality is starting to shine through. Hailed for bringing "so much power and energy from midfield" by journalist Phil Costa, Diarra arrived from Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg for £30m last summer, and while shrewder deals have been completed on Wearside, Sunderland paid the big bucks for a reason and are confident they will be rewarded as fitness and consistency translate to top form.
His versatility is already proving invaluable for Le Bris, sat centrally or further up field, also pacy enough to do a fine job out on the right flank.
Diarra might be the record signing but he's got some catch-up to do after a testing first period in England. Xhaka, of course, is the linchpin and leader at the heart of the pitch, but another of last summer's recruits has emerged as an even more valuable part of the Black Cats team.
The Sunderland star worth even more than Diarra
Among the many successful signings at the Stadium of Light, Noah Sadiki might just be the player with the most potential.
Florian Wirtz and Noah Sadiki
Aged 20, Sadiki completed a £15m move to Sunderland from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2025, and he has quickly become a mainstay in the centre of the park, a relentless dribbler and tenacious defender who models his game on Arsenal star Declan Rice.
It's not a coincidence that Sunderland endured a five-match winless run in the Premier League during Sadiki's jaunt south to compete at AFCON for DR Congo, who were defeated by Algeria in the round of 16.
Praised by Le Bris for his "rare" quality and maturity, especially at such a young age, it's exciting to think that he's only going to get better over the coming years.
Sadiki - Premier League Stats 25/26
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes
Chances created*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Ground duels won*
Data via Sofascore
Less exciting, however, is the fact that his growth is attracting interest from some of the Premier League's biggest outfits.
Manchester United have already made themselves known. In fact, they have been told that Sadiki's signature would cost them £50m, should they want to snap him up this summer, while CIES Football Observatory deems him to be worth in the region of £43m, still eclipsing Diarra's record fee.
It goes without saying that Sunderland are doing something remarkable this season, their project one well-placed for stability in the Premier League this season and years ahead.
Sadiki has been crucial, covering so much ground and playing with such dynamism. It's that skillset which will “take him to the top”, as has been said by journalist David Cartlidge.
Diarra-Sadiki-Sunderland
Diarra's time will come. Consistency is bound to see his market value skyrocket.
However, Sadiki's been the man of the hour so far, and Sunderland will rue the inevitable day that Manchester United or some other team with deep pockets make their move.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris before the match Related
Sunderland star now in line for Regis Le Bris call after recovering from injury
The Black Cats have been given an FA Cup boost.