Sunderland Handed Boost in Problem Position as Transfer Plans Take Shape

The Black Cats failed to sign a specialist right winger on deadline day, leaving fans disappointed. But Régis Le Bris has now been handed a major boost to solve the problem — without spending a penny.

The Problem Position That Has Fans Talking

Sunderland’s summer transfer window was a success in many ways. The Black Cats signed Malick Fofana in a dramatic £30.8m deadline day deal, secured Kevin Danso on loan from Tottenham, and added depth across the squad .

But there was one area that left fans frustrated: the failure to sign a specialist right winger.

BBC Radio Newcastle’s Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes summed up the feeling: “The one thing Sunderland fans will be disappointed about is they didn’t bring a right winger in. That was the one area everybody felt that there was going to be a nailed-on signing this summer and that hasn’t happened.”

Sunderland explored the market for a right winger until late in the window. A proposed move for Benfica attacker Dodi Lukébakio ultimately came up short, leaving Sunderland without the obvious natural right-sided addition many had expected .

Now, Régis Le Bris has been handed a major boost to address the problem position — and it comes from within his own squad.

The Boost: Versatility Over Specialisation

Sunderland insiders have revealed the thinking behind the club’s decision not to sign a specialist right winger . The internal view appears to be that versatility is more important than simply having one player permanently stationed on either flank.

“Everyone has their own opinion, which I think we can respect, but here in the club and for the squad building we were comfortable from the beginning,” Le Bris said when pressed on his options on the flanks .

The head coach pointed to the variety of players who can operate on the right side:

· Nilson Angulo can operate from the right
· Enzo Le Fée has already been used many times on the left by Le Bris
· Chris Rigg and Habib Diarra can also occupy the right flank in different systems
· Trai Hume provides another, more defensive variation when Sunderland want greater security
· Romaine Mundle and Chemsdine Talbi further increase Le Bris’ ability to switch his attacking pieces around

“We’ve got this versatility,” Le Bris said. “I think it’s important to mention that in the Premier League, it’s rare to play with two wingers. We played with Trai on one side and Nilson on the other side. It’s a balanced set-up.”

The Fofana Factor

Malick Fofana’s arrival also adds to Le Bris’ attacking options . The Belgian winger has spent the majority of his career attacking from the left but can also play from the right.

Fofana joined Sunderland in a £30.8m deal after a dramatic deadline day saga involving two private jets, a hijack attempt from Crystal Palace, and the player changing his mind multiple times .

“Malick has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League,” Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi said. “He is a player with huge potential and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper.”

Fofana’s versatility means Le Bris now has even more options on both flanks. The Belgian winger can be deployed on either side depending on the demands of a particular game .

The Reality: A Manageable Gap

That does not mean the right-wing debate disappears . There remains a difference between having several players who can play there and possessing a natural winger whose instinct is to stay wide, attack his full-back and provide consistent penetration down that side.

But Sunderland clearly feel they have enough variety within the squad to cover the position . Not landing a specialist right winger prevents the window from being completely without question marks, but the club believes the flexibility already at Le Bris’ disposal means it is a manageable one rather than a glaring hole .

The Verdict

Sunderland failed to sign a specialist right winger on deadline day, leaving fans disappointed. But Régis Le Bris has been handed a major boost to address the problem position — the versatility already within his squad.

With Fofana, Angulo, Le Fée, Rigg, Diarra, Hume, Mundle and Talbi all capable of playing on the right, Le Bris clearly believes he has enough flexibility until the position is revisited in January.

One thing is certain: Sunderland fans will be watching closely.