Who would start a Premier League game for Sunderland if their starting 11 was based on player transfer value?
Last summer provided Sunderland fans with one of the most exciting and transformative transfer windows in the club’s recent history.
With the excitement of their Championship play-off final win still fresh in the mind, the Black Cats hierarchy embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive to lay the foundations for what would become a successful return to the Premier League. It all started with a club record deal for loan signing Enzo Le Fee after the Roma star saw a £20m permanent move to Wearside triggered by the Wembley win against Sheffield United. However, that figure was quickly surpassed when Sunderland saw off competition from Leeds United to land a reported £30m deal for Strasbourg’s highly-rated midfielder Habib Diarra.
Since then, all manner of impressive deals were secured as experience came in the form of former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka and defensive solidity was captured with the signings of the likes of Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo Mandava. Netherlands goalkeeper Robin Roefs has proved to be a shrewd addition and Brian Brobbey has already secured cult hero status at the Stadium of Light as the former Ajax striker continues to trouble Premier League defences with his strength and tenacity.
By the time the summer transfer window had come to a close in the early days of September, Sunderland’s squad had been transformed and the impact made by the new additions has led the club into an unexpected push for a European place during their first season back in the top flight. But who are Sunderland’s highest valued players and who would start a game if it was based on their transfer values?
Sunderland’s strongest starting XI based on transfer value
Sunderland's Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs.placeholder image
Sunderland's Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs. | AFP via Getty Images
GK: Robins Roefs - €25.00m RB: Trai Hume - €22.00m CB: Dan Ballard - €20.00m CB: Omar Alderete - €15.00m LB: Dennis Cirkin - €8.00m MF: Habib Diarra - €32.00m MF: Noah Sadiki - €30.00m MF: Chris Rigg - €25.00m LW: Chemsdine Talbi - €25.00m RW: Enzo Le Fee - €25.00m FW: Brian Brobbey - €25.00m
What has Regis Le Bris said about Sunderland’s targets for the rest of the season?
Regis Le Bris.placeholder image
Regis Le Bris. | Getty Images
He 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.”
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