Just like the recent fuel prices in the United Kingdom, Sunderland Football Club have reached some unimaginable highs in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.
From doing the double over Newcastle United to wins away at the likes of Chelsea, it truly has been a campaign to remember for the Black Cats supporters.
However, as seen at many petrol stations across the country, the demand is getting higher and higher as weeks pass, something which Regis Le Bris is also having to deal with at the Stadium of Light.
With the club above their Tyne-Wear rivals and looking set for another year in the top-flight, it’s down to the 50-year-old to provide the continued success the fans have become accustomed to.
The board will no doubt spend big again this window to fuel the progress made under the Frenchman, but they will do well to land a player who captured the hearts of the fans like Jermain Defoe did.
The stats behind Jermain Defoe’s success at Sunderland
Back in January 2015, Sunderland secured the services of the former England international from Toronto FC, with flop Jozy Altidore moving in the opposite direction.
He would spend two-and-a-half years in the senior ranks on Wearside, finding the back of the net 37 times for the Black Cats in his 93 appearances across all competitions.
His efforts saw him immediately become a fan-favourite at the Stadium of Light, even managing to register 15 goals in two separate campaigns in the top-flight.
Defoe’s efforts off the field also saw him capture the hearts of the fanbase, with the striker playing a massive part in the life of young supporter Bradley Lowery.
The now-retired forward was unable to keep the club in the top-division despite his incredible goalscoring form, which resulted in his departure in the summer of 2017.
He still sits second in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscoring charts, with his impact on and off the field forever making him a club legend in the North East.
Defoe-esque Sunderland man could be finished at Stadium of Light
After securing a return to the top-flight, it was crucial that Sunderland spent big on various areas of the squad to give themselves the best chance of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier.
Brian Brobbey was signed from Ajax for a reported £21m including add-ons, with the Dutchman tasked with providing the goods – just as Defoe did during the last spell in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old has already netted six times so far this term, with his latest goal against local rivals Newcastle securing bragging rights for the supporters.
Whilst he still has a long way to go before emulating the levels produced by the Englishman, he’s certainly made an excellent start to his career on Wearside.
However, one other player in the squad was starting to look like the next Defoe at the Stadium of Light, with full-back Dennis Cirkin following in the attacker’s footsteps.
The Latvian international joined from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £1m back in the summer of 2021 – a side that the striker previously played for in his career.
Like Defoe, he made an immediate impact at the Stadium of Light, subsequently featuring 41 times during his debut campaign with the club down in League One.
He remained a consistent first-team starter during the Championship years, even amassing 39 appearances last term during the promotion-winning campaign.
However, he’s been a victim of the club’s heavy investment in recent times, with the 24-year-old falling behind summer addition Reinildo in Le Bris’ pecking order.
Cirkin has now only amassed a total of seven league appearances this campaign, with only three of which coming from a starting role – with his last start coming back in January.
|
Fewest PL minutes played for Sunderland (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Minutes |
|
Dan Neil |
13 |
|
Patrick Roberts |
27 |
|
Jocelin Ta Bi |
39 |
|
Arthur Masuaku |
127 |
|
Jenson Seelt |
134 |
|
Luke O’Nien |
227 |
|
Nilson Angulo |
257 |
|
Melker Ellborg |
270 |
|
Dennis Cirkin |
302 |
|
Romaine Mundle |
400 |
After his rise with the Black Cats, the former Spurs star will no doubt be disappointed with his lack of action, which could lead to a summer departure for pastures new.
His current deal is set to expire this summer, but it still remains unclear whether the hierarchy will offer the left-back a new deal or allow him to depart on a free transfer.
The form of Reinildo has certainly restricted his senior minutes this term, with Cirkin needing consistent minutes to continue his development at the top level.
Should he depart, it would be a sad sight to see, especially considering the work he put in to help the club rise from the depths of League One back to the Premier League.
However, like with Defoe, all good things sadly come to an end, and it’s the hierarchy undoubtedly targeting added reinforcements to bolster the squad during the summer.
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