Seven Summer Signings Start Against Sunderland
Saturday, 22nd Aug 2026 14:16
Six Town players make debuts and Julio Enciso his second debut as the Blues host Sunderland as they make their Premier League return.
Kjell Scherpen makes his debut in goal and becomes the tallest player in Premier League history at 6ft 9in, while skipper Dara O’Shea is at right-back and Leif Davis at left-back. Issa Diop, also making his debut, is the right-sided centre-half alongside Jacob Greaves.
In midfield, Sasa Lukic is the third debutant alongside Marcelino Nunez with Florentino Luis absent, as he was for the final friendly at Union Berlin a week ago.
Abdul Fatawu makes his debut wide on the right, Daizen Maeda is another debutant on the left with Enciso, who returned to the club earlier in the week having been on loan in the second half of 2024/25, is the number 10. Emersonn is the sixth debutant as the number nine.
Christian Walton is the sub keeper alongside Darnell Furlong, Cedric Kipre, Sindre Walle Egeli, Kasey McAteer, Chuba Akpom, Cameron Humphreys, new addition Abdoul Ouattara and ex-Black Cats wideman Jack Clarke.
Jaden Philogene is absent from the bench, which is probably no surprise with the second 45 minutes at Union Berlin the winger’s only involvement in pre-season following a hamstring issue.
Sunderland hand summer signing Thomas Meunier his debut at right-back, the former Lille man having been a doubt coming into the match due to a back issue. That will see Trai Hume pushed forward down the right flank.
Town: Scherpen, O’Shea (c), Diop, Greaves, Davis, Nunez, Lukic, Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda, Emersonn. Subs: Walton, Furlong, Kipre, Walle Egeli, McAteer, Akpom, Humphreys, Ouattara, Clarke.
Sunderland: Roefs, Meunier, Ballard, O’Nien, Reinildo, Xhaka (c), Sadiki, Hume, Le Fée, Angulo, Brobbey. Subs: Ellborg, Talbi, Rigg, Mundle, Alderete, Isidor, Diarra, Mukiele, Ta Bi. Referee: Farai Hallam (Surrey). Assistants: Adrian Holmes and Simon Long. Fourth official: Andrew Madley. VAR: Nick Hopton. Assistant VAR: Wade Smith.
_Photo: ITFC_