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Since signing for Sunderland in the summer, Reinildo has become one of the first names on the team sheet and a firm fan favourite.
The Mozambique left back has everything a Sunderland supporter wants from a player. His terrific speed, exemplary ball control and top class defensive capabilities make him a great asset on the field, while his passion, aggression, positive attitude and complete buy-in to the club also make him a great asset off the field.
He’s the sort of person and player you want at your club, and he’ll be missed during this period of injury, but it will potentially provide Dennis Cirkin with gametime on a silver platter.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Reinildo Mandava of Sunderland looks on during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Bournemouth at Stadium of Light on November 29, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Reinildo Mandava of Sunderland looks on during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Bournemouth at Stadium of Light on November 29, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Since signing for the club in 2021, Cirkin has proved himself to be a brilliant footballer, with the kind of athleticism, technique and ability you need to be a good defender.
His injury record poked some holes in my belief but in general, I thought Cirkin would be our first choice left back in the Premier League — albeit before we underwent our ambitious squad revamping in the summer — but even so, I still believe that Cirkin is able to be a first choice left back in this league.
He’s one of my favourite players — a factor that may be swaying my judgement — but I think he has what it takes.
Admittedly, Reinildo is the better player, but there was no shame in Cirkin losing his place to our new left back; after all, he lacks the experience that Reinildo possesses after spending many years under the management of defensive maestro Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, and I’m sure that Cirkin is learning a lot from Reinildo and trying to apply that to his own game.
When Reinildo travelled to Morocco in December, to compete at AFCON, Cirkin found himself getting more minutes.
He started three games in this period — against Leeds, Manchester City and Tottenham, and at no point during these games did he ever look terribly out of his depth. In fact, he looked good; steady, reliable and up to the task.
One of his best performances in red and white was the home game against City who, as we all know, are no mugs. This proved to me that Cirkin is able to play at this level and that he still has room for improvement.
Sunderland’s English defender #03 Dennis Cirkin (L) beats Manchester City’s French midfielder #10 Rayan Cherki (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Manchester City at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on January 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Sunderland’s English defender #03 Dennis Cirkin (L) beats Manchester City’s French midfielder #10 Rayan Cherki (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Manchester City at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on January 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
AFP via Getty Images
Over the next four weeks, I imagine that Cirkin will regain his place at left back, but that’s not guaranteed.
Trai Hume has regularly filled in at left back; Lutsharel Geertruida has been seen in that role, and Régis Le Bris could maybe even look to switch up the tactics and formation. In my opinion, I think he’ll swap between Reinildo for Cirkin directly — and I believe that would be the best bet.