Sunderland began pre-season with a 5-1 victory at York City, but the result did little to quieten the bigger questions surrounding Régis Le Bris's squad ahead of the new campaign. With a United States tour on the horizon and a Europa League programme to accommodate, the manager faces several selection and recruitment dilemmas that will shape the club's starting XI and depth for the season.
Defensive choices and fitness concerns
The centre-back positions present some of the clearest calls for Le Bris. Dan Ballard is expected to rejoin the squad during the American tour following ankle surgery, which could restore a regular partnership with Omar Alderete, who impressed last season. Nordi Mukiele adds further flexibility across the back line, meaning any new defensive signing might complicate plans rather than simplify them.
Right-back is another selection area where the manager must decide between stability and versatility. Trai Hume has been a dependable option; Mukiele can cover on the right as well as centrally, and the arrival of Thomas Meunier supplies experienced cover after the club chose not to trigger a near £20 million option for Lutsharel Geertruida.
Squad depth and homegrown considerations
Cover and homegrown registration are factors in left-side decisions. Aji Alese has shown value in covering both centre-back and left-back roles when fit. Younger options such as Jenson Seelt — whose ceiling remains high — may seek regular minutes, while Leo Hjelde provides left-sided depth and the benefit of homegrown status amid ongoing fitness checks.
| Area | Decision points |
|---|---|
| Central defence | Ballard's return, Alderete's form, Mukiele's role, potential new signing |
| Right-back | Hume reliability vs Mukiele or Meunier cover |
| Left-side | Alese fitness, Seelt's minutes, Hjelde homegrown depth |
Midfield roles and attacking competition
There are tactical questions over where players such as Chris Rigg will be used. Rigg earned attention after scoring in the York City friendly and looked effective in central areas; the manager must weigh whether a number eight role, which exploits his ball-carrying and late runs, is sustainable defensively or whether his versatility is better deployed elsewhere.
Midfield balance will also depend on whether Sunderland add a holding presence to mitigate workload on senior players. Squad-size management and European registration mean decisions on midfield stalwarts — including the future of players such as Alan Browne — will affect the make-up of the team.
Goalkeeping and forward paths
At present Robin Roefs remains first choice in goal, with Melker Ellborg providing backup. The goalkeeper situation looks settled for now, but discussion continues over outgoings among the squad's younger forwards. Timur Tutierov and Trey Ogunsuyi could either remain for cup and European opportunities or depart on loan to find regular minutes, a path complicated by senior attacking options such as Chemsdine Talbi, Romaine Mundle, Nilson Angulo, Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey.
Transfers and likely exits
One notable peripheral storyline is the future of Anthony Patterson. The report suggests his exit still feels likeliest, with interest to date not meeting Sunderland's valuation; sources indicate he has been training at the Academy of Light while the club weighs options.
- Seven to eight major squad questions remain across defence, midfield and attack.
- Ballard's return from ankle surgery could restore a natural centre-back pairing with Alderete.
- European registration and squad-size management will force choices on which fringe players stay or go.
Le Bris's decisions in the coming weeks — particularly during the United States tour — will give a clearer picture of his preferred starting formation and how the club intends to balance domestic, cup and European demands. For supporters, the pre-season fixtures are about more than results: they offer the first real sight of how Sunderland will approach a congested campaign and which players will be relied upon when the season opens at Ipswich.
