The Red And White Wall: A Tribute To The Lads’ 25/26 Defence!
· Yahoo Sports
I started this piece with the intention of trying to work out who our best defensive signing of the season had been and it didn’t take me long to realise what a pointless exercise that was — it would’ve been a discussion that was unlikely to reach a consensus, such is the quality of player that the club has recruited.
Instead, it’s more appropriate to make this a tribute piece to the defensive behemoths who have been the foundation of European qualification, with only three teams conceding fewer goals in thirty eight Premier League fixtures.
Visit umafrika.club for more information.
It would be wrong to exclude those who stepped up from the Championship squad, so they feature here too.
Trai Hume
The £200,000 bargain from Ballymena always looked like a player capable of making the step up to the Premier League, and he didn’t disappoint.
The only player to appear in all thirty eight games, there were some murmurings about his inclusion in midfield, as Nordi Mukiele was often preferred in the right back slot. Hume is far more adaptable than some give him credit for, and his ability to transition from defence to midfield and vice versa gives Régis Le Bris the tactical flexibility to play with five at the back when the opposition has the ball, and four at the back when in possession.
Hume scored the first and helped create the second in the final-day victory over Chelsea, but that was far from the only time he was a difference maker.
His introduction as a substitute against Arsenal at home in November changed the shape of the game, with Brian Brobbey taking advantage to level the scores.
Nordi Mukiele
Probably the pick of the defensive unit if you were pushed to choose, the former PSG man started the season in the centre of defence and also appeared regularly on the right flank. Intensely competitive, supremely athletic and able to chip in with the odd goal or two, he’s a complete defender.
As an overlapping full back, he has pace to burn and has the ability to launch a dangerous long throw in his arsenal. Mukiele has proved to be an absolute steal at £9.5 million and seems to be thriving, given the opportunity to play regularly.
He has an edge and there’s a bit of steel about him — attributes that endear him to the Sunderland faithful!
Dan Ballard
The Northern Irish international has made the step up from the Championship as comfortably as his compatriot Trai Hume, and looks every inch a Premier League centre half.
After missing the early part of the season through injury, he quickly established himself as a fixture in the team, pushing Mukiele to the right side of the defence.
Big Dan offers a constant aerial threat at set pieces, and his goal against his former club Arsenal demonstrated that he’s equally capable of finishing with his feet. He also has a growing confidence in bringing the ball out of defence.
I look at him now and wonder how things might’ve worked out if he’d opted for England rather than Northern Ireland.
Omar Alderete
I love this bloke but he frightens the life out of me! He has the menacing presence of a bodyguard to a South American drug lord, and I have absolutely no idea why any striker would want to be anywhere near him.
The “Big Guy from Paraguay” wins duel after duel on the ground without fouling. He’s absolutely dominant in the air and able to turn with the ball, leaving the opposition chasing shadows. Blessed with a wonderful first touch, he can bring the ball down effortlessly before rampaging forward or delivering a defence-splitting pass.
It’s little wonder that he was regarded as one of the best central defenders in La Liga, and Sunderland definitely had Getafe’s pants down, landing him for just £10 million.
Reinildo Mandava
I struggle hardest to believe that Granit Xhaka is wearing a Sunderland shirt, but my disbelief easily extends to seeing Reinildo in our red and white stripes, instead of Atlético Madrid’s.
Possibly the best free signing in the history of the club, and a man tough enough to brave any weather conditions in a sleeveless top!
If there were concerns about his fitness, they’ve been well and truly dispelled and he’s built a great understanding down the left with Noah Sadiki, and whoever occupies the left wing berth. He’s as classy and reliable as the Mercedes convertible he passed us in on Wessington Way after the Chelsea game.
I still have to look twice when I see his name on the team sheet, to be honest.
Luke O’Nien
What can I say that I haven’t already said? Just read the articles I’ve written about him in the last two weeks.
Just love his attitude!
Just love the story of his rise through the leagues with us!
Just love watching him prove the doubters wrong!
Just want to see him play in Europe!
Just love Luke!
Lutsharel Geertruida
With Régis Le Bris preferring Hume and Mukiele at right back, the Dutchman’s early opportunities mostly came in midfield. He did nothing wrong but he didn’t overly impress. However, Dan Ballard’s harsh red card against Wolves gave Lutsha an opportunity in his more natural defensive position in the games against Everton and Chelsea and…wow!
He really impressed in both games, looking like an absolute Rolls Royce, cruising up and down the right flank, and playing in Enzo Le Fée to set up the second goal against Chelsea.
He’s one of those players who never looks hurried and he reads the game superbly. I don’t know if his future lies with Sunderland and up until a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t overly concerned. Now?
Sign him up!
Dennis Cirkin
An honourable mention for one of our Championship heroes and the holder of the record for the longest-running wrist injury in the history of football — there’s surely a sponsorship deal for him, endorsing sporting casts and strapping.
I feel genuinely sorry for Cirkin — he was excellent in the Championship and showed during AFCON that he can perform to Premier League standard. But with his contract expiring, his injury record appears to have counted against him.
So farewell sweet Prince – I’ll always remember the debate about how to pronounce your name when you first arrived: “Cirkin. Like someone from Ashington who’s very wet!”