Sunderland hit the jackpot with Regis Le Bris. Appointed ahead of the 2024/25 season, the French manager took the Black Cats straight to the Premier League and is now targeting a top-half finish.
Sunderland, who sit 11th in the table with seven games remaining, are just six points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and could have the sustenance to end the season in style after last weekend’s stunning win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Tyne-Wear derbies have not been pleasant for Newcastle in recent memory and the fact that the Black Cats leapfrogged their bitter rivals with victory only adds further insult.
However, Sunderland need to improve in the final third and there is still room for improvement in their wing play. Le Bris will confidently use the summer transfer window to strengthen his side, but it is a shame that Jack Clarke is still not at the club.
Why Sunderland sold Jack Clarke
Clarke currently plays for Ipswich Town in the Championship, where he has scored 14 goals in 30 games this season and is one of the most important players in their promotion bid.
This kind of prolific dominance could have been of great use to Sunderland this season and could perhaps have proved the difference in the dream battle for a ticket to Europe.
The 25-year-old has developed into an important player for the Black Cats, but will certainly be sold in 2024 for £15m. Given Sunderland’s promotion since then, it’s unlikely that supporters have lost much sleep yet, but Clarke continues to go from strength to strength and could definitely play a part in this high-level side.
Sunderland need to improve their final third this summer. For example, Wilson Isidore failed to adapt to the Premier League and was completely usurped by the powerful Brian Brobbey.
Le Bris are set to make some changes this summer, with players who were actually ahead of Clarke in the pecking order potentially moving this summer, and possibly players who could help sell the Tractor Boys.
Sunderland stars ahead of Clarke should be sold
Sunderland have worked hard to reach the Premier League and settle in an impressive mid-table position. Now they must continue to develop, which could mean parting ways with fringe players like Romain Mandre.
A “terrifying” winger, described by journalist Josh Bunting, Mandl is undoubtedly pacey and dangerous in A matches, but he has failed to pose a direct or creative threat to Le Brice’s side this season and has failed to create any big chances, averaging just 0.1 shots on target per game.
Sunderland signed the young Mandl from Belgian side Standard Liège in February 2024. The transfer cost him £2 million and he fulfilled his role, but the squad may have outgrown the young Clarke’s successor.
In truth, the London-born wide forward has the potential to be a part of this Sunderland side, but there is certainly an upgrade and given he has only started two Premier League games this season, he is likely to end up at the Stadium of Light, and improving his attack should be high on the club’s list of summer goals.
Back in 2024, former Sunderland star Marco Gabbiadini favored Mundle over Clarke after Clarke moved to Portman Road, saying: “In many ways, his play on the wing is better than Clarke. “I don’t know if he’s as good as the ball scorer, but I think he’s better on the wing because he can go both ways and he has a little bit more pace to play on the outside.”
Sunderland need not fear being dragged into a relegation battle late on and will now have a plan in place. Mandl’s versatility all over the field highlights his value, but it doesn’t matter as much when he’s not producing on the field and is primarily worn out on the sideline, where he doesn’t have the trust of Le Bris.
Romain Mandl – Career statistics by position | ||
|---|---|---|
position | app | Goal + Assist |
left wing | 56 | 9+6 |
right wing | 36 | 6+5 |
left wing back | 10 | 2+3 |
attacking midfield | 5 | 0+2 |
right wing back | 4 | 1 + 0 |
center forward | 3 | 0+0 |
right full back | 1 | 1 + 0 |
Sunderland are in a strong position and the fact that Mandl could be released highlights their tremendous growth over the past few years.
There was consideration for the 22-year-old to leave the club in the winter, but Sunderland ultimately decided to keep him on for the remainder of the season. However, his fate remains unchanged and his departure feels inevitable.
He may end up at Sunderland, but if Mandl is to be let go, they will certainly need to bring in an upgrade.
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Sunderland established themselves as the Premier League’s impressive surprise package after gaining promotion last year.
