Regis Le Bris has relied on a core of key players as Sunderland have impressed in the Premier League this season.
It has already been a remarkable season for Sunderland and they will head into the final weeks of the campaign looking to push towards the European places.
The Black Cats have made a mockery of predictions of an immediate return to the Championship by claiming big wins against the likes of Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Brentford, as well as completing a memorable league double over arch rivals Newcastle United. There have also been hard-earned draws against some of the Premier League’s elite with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all being forced to settle for a share of the spoils by Regis Le Bris’ side throughout the campaign.
An intriguing run-in lies in wait when Sunderland return to Premier League action on the other side of the international break and they will hope to close a three point gap to the top seven and continue challenging for only a second European campaign in the club’s entire history. Several players are expected to return to contention for the home clash with Tottenham Hotspur next month and that will leave Le Bris with some big decisions to making over who will start against a visiting side that are firmly in the battle to avoid relegation this season. But how would Sunderland’s starting eleven look if it was based on minutes played across the season? We take a look with the help of WhoScored.
Sunderland’s starting XI based on minutes played
Robin Roefs makes a save.placeholder image
Robin Roefs makes a save. | AFP via Getty Images.
GK: Robin Roefs - 2,520 minutes DF: Nordi Mukiele - - 2,165 minutes DF: Omar Alderete - 2,356 minutes DF: Dan Ballard - 2,008 minutes DF: Trai Hume - 2,585 minutes MF: Granit Xhaka - 2,273 minutes MF: Noah Sadiki - 2,297 minutes MF: Habib Diarra - 1,103 minutes FW: Enzo Le Fee - 2,306 minutes FW: Brian Brobbey - 1,370 minutes FW: Chemsdine Talbi - 1,330 minutes
What has Regis Le Bris said about Sunderland’s performances this season?
Sunderland manager Regis Le Brisplaceholder image
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris | Getty Images
Speaking after Sunday’s derby win against Newcastle, the Black Cats boss said: “I think in this first season, it's probably unexpected to reach this 40 points target so early. At the same time, we are now struggling because of injuries. Players are a bit tired, which is normal. But probably the most important thing is the identity of the team. I think we belong to a community used to suffering.
“In that situation, we won't look for excuses. We are just managing the situation through togetherness, through working hard, through the identity of the squad. I think in those moments, you can reinforce your pillars and you create the condition for better days, when you have your full squad, a bit more freshness and so on. It's important to just think about the identity of the squad. Ten months ago, in the play-offs, it was exactly the scenario of the games. We were not 100% dominant. We had to suffer, waiting for better moments. And when it was on, we won.”
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