Sunderland are on course to avoid relegation back to the Championship in their first season back in the Premier League.
The Black Cats won promotion to the top flight in the play-offs last season, but are currently ahead of the two teams who won automatic promotion.
Regis Le Bris' side are 14 points clear of the bottom three in the Premier League with seven games remaining, as they have already crossed the magic 40 point mark, sitting on 43 points.
Sunderland have done very well in their return to the top flight as they hit the jackpot in the transfer window with a number of amazing players, including the likes of Brian Brobbey, Granit Xhaka, and Nordi Mukiele.
Xhaka, in particular, was a game-changer as an experienced midfielder who had played in the Premier League for Arsenal, and has captained the club.
Why Sunderland need to think beyond Granit Xhaka
The Switzerland international was described as a “season-changing signing” by Peterborough supporter Darragh MacAnthony earlier this term, and it's hard to disagree with that assessment.
Xhaka leads the Sunderland side in 'big chances' created (seven) and assists (five) in the Premier League this season, using his quality on the ball to become the team's leading midfielder.
The Black Cats may have to start thinking about life after the Swiss star, though, because he turns 34 this year and it remains to be seen how many years he has left at the peak of his powers.
Xhaka, valued at £7.6m by Transfermarkt at the time of writing, is heading towards the final years of his career and the club may need to start looking at future targets who could step in and replace him in midfield.
That's not the case with the young signings made last summer, however, as the Black Cats have signed several stars who could shine at the Stadium of Light for many, many years to come.
Sunderland have signed Jack Clarke next
One of Sunderland's signings from Le Bris last summer is already worth more than veteran Xhaka (£7.6m), and looks to be a version of French manager Jack Clarke.
The Black Cats are in a rush to sign Morocco international Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge for £18m, and have enjoyed a respectable first season in English football.
Sunderland's most expensive signing ever
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He's had plenty of problems, as you'd expect from a 20-year-old in the Premier League for the first time, and there were times when it looked like he might be headed for a flop after going eight days without a goal or an assist.
However, Talbi returned to form just in time before the international break with an equalizer in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the derby at St. James' Park.
The 20-year-old star has now produced four goals and one assist in 14 starts in his first season in the Premier League, far from a bad return for such a young player in a new country.
A return of four goals at 1.99 xG, including two goals from outside the box, also shows that he is becoming Le Bris' version of Clarke on the left.
During his time at Sunderland, Clarke provided a major goal threat when he cut his right foot. In the 2023/24 campaign, the England midfielder scored 15 goals, including five from outside the box, from 11.43 xG in the Championship.
Talbi is an efficient finisher who can score from distance, just like the former Black Cats star, but the next step for him is to provide intelligence in addition to his goals.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Talbi is 90 |
Level vs LWs |
|---|---|---|
|
xG |
0.14 |
down 34% |
|
xG on the target |
0.23 |
Up to 30% |
|
Goals |
0.27 |
Top 25% |
|
Opportunities are created |
0.81 |
down 14% |
|
It helps |
0.07 |
down 37% |
The Moroccan star hasn't provided much creativity for the team in the Premier League, so he could be the perfect player if Le Bris can help him open up that side of his game.
Despite lacking in the artistic department, Talbi's performances have helped his Transfermarkt value to rise this season. Signed for £18, the winger is valued at £21.7m by Transfermarkt after a full season at the Stadium of Light.
This means he is worth more than twice what Xhaka is worth right now, while he is 13 years younger and has plenty of time left in front of him to develop and improve.
So, Talbi may not have the same impact on the pitch as Xhaka here and now, but the Moroccan talent has the potential to be a team player for many years, and the club won't need to replace him anytime soon if he continues to improve and excel like Le Bris' Clarke.
Sunderland are now in a good position to sign the Serie A star with Bologna believing he will leave
The Black Cats can finally find their man.
