Surprise package Sunderland face big test at resurgent Chelsea
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Sunderland's Granit Xhaka has been a key player for his team so far this season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Sunderland, who have so far defied the odds after being tipped for an immediate return to the second-tier Championship to become the English Premier League’s surprise package in the first two months of the season, will aim to continue their dream start at Chelsea on Oct 25.
Regis le Bris’s side have taken 14 points from their opening eight games to sit in seventh place, only one point behind champions Liverpool and level with Enzo Maresca’s fifth-placed Chelsea.
When they were relegated in 2017 after finishing bottom with 24 points, Sunderland entered a downward spiral that saw them spend four seasons in the third tier of English football before returning to the Championship via the play-offs in 2022.
When former Lorient manager le Bris was hired before the start of last season, many Sunderland fans might have thought, “Regis who?”, but the 49-year-old’s appointment proved a masterstroke as he took them back to the top flight thanks to a dramatic promotion play-off final win over Sheffield United.
Swiss-French chairman and majority shareholder Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 27, has set out a 10-year plan for Sunderland to establish themselves as a top-flight force and their ambition was clear as they spent £183.4 million (S$317.7 million) in the close season, more than Manchester City before they closed the late deal for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
So far, it looks like money well spent with the likes of former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka, fellow midfielder Enzo le Fee and defender Omar Alderete all impressing for the Black Cats.
“I didn’t think one player could have such an impact on a team, but he (Xhaka) is an unbelievable motivator and he’s lifted standards,” Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard said.
“When you train, it’s like you need to impress him.”
Sunderland’s tenacity has made them tough to beat and they have conceded six league goals so far – only Premier League leaders Arsenal have let in fewer with three.
That defence will be fully tested at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues seeking a fifth successive win in all competitions after the 5-1 thrashing of Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League on Oct 22
“It’s been a good start to the season. It shows we are consistent, flexible,” le Bris said on Oct 23.
“Chelsea are really strong... a top-four team in the Premier League. They can play 60 games, they have depth, young and dynamic. It’s a good example for us. A big test.”
Like Chelsea, London rivals Arsenal also enjoyed a thumping Champions League win in midweek, crushing Atletico Madrid 4-0
Mike Arteta’s side have opened a three-point lead over City, who are at resurgent Aston Villa on Oct 26.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, enjoyed successive Premier League wins for the first time when his side stunned Liverpool at Anfield
The Portuguese will hope to extend that winning run to three games at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on Oct 25, who are one place behind them. Newcastle United, meanwhile, host Fulham.
New Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche will take charge of his first Premier League game for the club on Oct 26 at high-flying Bournemouth.
Forest are without a win in the league since the opening weekend of the season, but they are buoyed by a 2-0 Europa League win over Porto
