Despite picking up all three points, Sunderland were left frustrated by their overall performance against Torreense in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Jules Ahoka and Noah Sadiki’s goals in the second half helped the Black Cats to come from 1-0 down to win the game, with the latter striking in the 93rd minute.
Too many of Regis Le Bris‘ players failed to step up and deliver against the second tier Portuguese outfit, which meant that the midfielders had to step up with the goals.
One of the players who did not do enough out wide was Nilson Angulo, who played on the right flank, but the Black Cats should not give up on him yet.
Why Sunderland should not give up on Nilson Angulo yet
In 58 minutes on the pitch against Torreense, the Ecuador international missed a ‘big chance’ with his head and failed to create a single chance for his teammates.
That performance came after he failed with six of his seven attempted dribbles and did not create any chances in 73 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Brighton in the Premier League last weekend.
As frustrating as his recent outings have been, Angulo is a player who is worth persevering with because he has shown flashes of quality in the league this season, scoring against Ipswich and providing an assist against Manchester City.
|
26/27 Premier League |
Nilson Angulo |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
6 |
|
xG |
0.60 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
1.3 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
1.9 |
Prior to joining Sunderland earlier this year, the forward also scored six goals and provided five assists in 22 Pro League appearances for Anderlecht in the 2025/26 campaign.
Le Bris, although he should drop the winger in the short-term after recent displays, should keep faith in the youngster in the long run because he has the potential to eventually develop into a star for the club.
Sell before Angulo: Sunderland flop no one is talking about
Whilst Angulo may still have a long-term future at the Stadium of Light, one of the Ecuadorian’s teammates may not have as bright of a future on Wearside.
Trai Hume started at right-back, supporting Angulo down the right flank, against Torreense and delivered a disappointing performance for the Black Cats.
The experienced Northern Ireland international, who has been with the club since January 2022, came off the pitch after losing three of his four ground duels and failing with six of his nine attempted crosses.
He struggled offensively, as the full-back was unable to create any ‘big chances’ for the team, and defensively, as he committed two fouls and was dribbled past once without making a single tackle.
No one has been talking about how underwhelming Hume’s contributions have been, though, because the heat has been on the attacking players like Angulo, Malick Fofana, and Chris Rigg.
The Sunderland defender, who was a £20m transfer target for Everton in the summer, has been utilised on the right wing and at right-back in the Premier League, but has not offered enough to the team in possession.
|
26/26 Premier League |
Trai Hume |
Rank vs RMs |
|---|---|---|
|
xA |
0.31 |
Bottom 30% |
|
Pass accuracy |
73.6% |
Bottom 16% |
|
Long pass accuracy |
16.7% |
Bottom 16% |
|
Chances created |
4 |
Bottom 30% |
|
Assists |
0 |
Bottom 1% |
|
Goals |
0 |
Bottom 1% |
Hume’s use of the ball, particularly in comparison to his positional peers, has not been at the level required, which was also the case in the top-flight last term.
The 24-year-old star only completed 75% of his attempted passes and produced one ‘big chance’ created and one assist in 38 appearances in the division.
Nordi Mukiele and Thomas Meunier are now available as right-back options for Sunderland, which has meant that Hume has alternated between right-back and right midfield.
Unfortunately, the long-serving defender has not been good enough with the ball at his feet to justify continued minutes further up the pitch, which is why the club may have to consider his future at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland could opt to go with Mukiele and Meunier as their first-choice options at right-back and sign a specialised right-sided attacker in January to avoid having to play a defender in that role moving forward.
That would then open the door for Hume, who had interest from Everton in the summer, to secure a move away from Wearside, which would see him sold before Angulo.
