Sunderland are getting behind Regis Le Bris, showing staunch support for the manager who so expertly drove the club out of the Championship and up the Premier League ladder and into the Europa League last season.
Things need to improve quickly. Sunderland have lost five of their past six Premier League matches, and they host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, before the November international break.
It all feels a bit doom and gloom, but the message is one of unity and togetherness. The players are still on board, with Brian Brobbey having recently extended his contract with the Black Cats.
Why Brian Brobbey’s new Sunderland deal is such good news
The fact that Brobbey has extended his deal with Sunderland while the club are rock-bottom of the Premier League makes a strong comment on the project and their star man’s faith in the manager and his teammates.
Sunderland have struggled in attack this season, but during the 5-3 loss against Manchester City, Brobbey scored a sublime hat-trick to consolidate his reputation as one of the most talented strikers in the world.
If Le Bris is going to lift his side away from danger this season, Brobbey will need to be on his A-game, and after being recently given a new contract, he just might.
The Netherlands international has extended his deal at the Stadium of Light until 2031, offering much-needed reassurance for the fanbase, confirming that, while a relegation clause is bound to have been woven in, Brobbey is happy to front the Sunderland line-up.
For sure, Brobbey’s importance as his team’s goalscoring talisman cannot be understated.
|
Sunderland Top Scorers since returning to the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Apps |
Goals |
|
Brian Brobbey |
40 |
10 |
|
Enzo Le Fee |
52 |
9 |
|
Wilson Isidor |
45 |
7 |
|
Chemsdine Talbi |
35 |
6 |
|
Nordi Mukiele |
22 |
3 |
However, it would be remiss to argue that the Wearsiders are a one-man team. Far from it. And in fact, there is another member of the persuasion who needs to be next in line for a big pay rise.
Sunderland must give Le Bris signing a big pay rise
Le Bris has been excellent since taking the reins at the Stadium of Light, but he will be acutely aware that he will lose a grip on his tenure without making swift improvements.
Keeping the fans on board will go a long way toward achieving that, and that’s why Sunderland need to extend Noah Sadiki’s contract at the club, focusing on the Congolese midfielder now that Brobbey’s future has been taken care of.
Journalist James Copley said Sadiki “gives absolutely everything” for the club, and it’s true. Since he arrived from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for £15m plus add-ons in 2025, he has cemented himself as a midfield mainstay beside Granit Xhaka.
Sadiki is not in any imminent contractual danger – and for that matter, neither are Sunderland when it comes to the DR Congo international – but he’s reportedly taking home around £40k per week at the Stadium of Light, placing him among the lower first-team earners in Le Bris’ squad.
That needs to change. With uncertainty around skipper Xhaka’s longevity in this system growing after recent results, Sadiki’s continued presence could be vital for the upkeep of Sunderland’s reputation as a Premier League outfit.
From the get-go, Sadiki has considered it a pleasure to perform in the Premier League. He is one of the most exciting midfielders out there – so it’s no wonder that Chelsea have been interested in snapping him up.
The £40k-per-week midfielder is indeed contracted to Sunderland until 2029, but the vultures will continue to circle; the 21-year-old has still caught the eye in the Premier League this term despite Sunderland’s problems, winning 59% of his ground battles.
CIES Football Observatory have appraised Sadiki as the most valuable player at Sunderland, pricing him at £57m in today’s market. With that in mind, he needs to be paid what he deserves, lest a high-profile suitor swoop in and take him when Le Bris needs him most.
