Regis Le Bris will have his eyes on several Sunderland players that he will look to depart with in January.
Following Sunderland’s incredibly bright start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign, it is clear that the Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris has truly tied down his go-to starting 11.
The side on Wearside have rarely experimented with their team up until this point, and it looks as if the French boss will have already made his mind up on the players who have very little chance of a future at the club.
For example, the current midfield options at this point look set in stone, with Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg becoming regulars in the side, whilst Dan Neil and Alan Browne are also getting plenty of opportunities in the centre-of-the-park.
As a result, here are five players who Sunderland may sanction moves for in the January transfer window.
Aji Alese
Injuries have played habit with 23-year-old Sunderland centre-back Aji Alese after he made just eight Championship appearances last season.
The Black Cats defender will struggle to stake a claim in the current side, particularly after the recent signing of Chris Mepham.
Le Bris’ options consisting of the former Bournemouth defender, alongside club captain Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard have made it incredibly difficult for any other options to come into the side for Sunderland, and as a result Alese could move on from the club as a result of the lack of guarantees in reference to game time.
Abdoullah Ba
Sunderland midfielder Abdoullah Ba is yet to play a single minute of action for the Black Cats so far in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, and it is unlikely that it is about to change.
The Black Cats midfielder has been on the bench on five occasions, including the most recent three, however the fact that Le Bris has not turned to the 21-year-old on a single occasion suggests that he has very little faith in Ba.
He was an ever present part of the side in the 2023/24 side getting 39 appearances in the league, with 21 of which being starts. After seven goal contributions last season, it could be suggested that Ba could show the abilities to make a difference from off the bench, however there is little chance that Le Bris will change his mind on the youngster.
Adil Aouchiche
In the twilight of the summer transfer window, French midfielder Adil Aouchice wanted to leave Sunderland, however a move was unable to come into fruition.
The 22-year-old hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since the 4-0 win vs Sheffield Wednesday, where he played 15 minutes as a substitute, and any game time handed to him appears to be with the under 21 side, where he has somewhat been in goalscoring form.
Le Bris has previously coached Aouchiche during his spell at Lorient, where the French youngster also struggled for game time, and it looks to be that old habits die hard with the current Sunderland boss, who has continuously not been impressed in the player.
Jewison Bennette
Sunderland winger Jewison Bennette has often been handed game time throughout the course of the season, however it has been as part of the under 21’s, where he has in all fairness shown his raw talents.
It seems as though the chances of returning to the squad are against the winger, especially with the current brilliant form of Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts on either flank.
The Black Cats winger could potentially benefit from a loan move in League One, where he can show his talents and potentially stake a claim to be a part of the side in the 2025/26 season.
Nazariy Rusyn
Ever since his arrival at the club for over £2million, Ukrainian forward Nazariy Rusyn has seemingly been depleted of all confidence in front of goal for the side.
He has been handed six substitute appearances so far in the Championship this campaign, however he is yet to find the back of the net.
He will unlikely be handed a start for Sunderland, especially with the current form of Wilson Isidor, as well as the shortly returning Eliezer Mayenda, and as a result, Le Bris could easily sanction a move for the attacker.
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