Sunderland travel to Manchester City on Sunday off the back of an emotional night in Europe, and Regis Le Bris has some selection headaches to deal with before kick-off at the Etihad.
The Black Cats beat AZ Alkmaar to record their first European win in 53 years on Wednesday, with an Enzo Le Fée penalty settling the tie and sending the home crowd into raptures.
Le Bris was visibly moved by the reaction inside the Stadium of Light, saying: “It was impressive, our fans are so passionate. They deserve like we had today.”
Turning that continental high into Premier League points is now the priority, but it won’t be straightforward. Sunderland have just one top-flight win to their name so far this season, and a trip to face the eight-time champions represents about as stern a test as the fixture list can offer.
Adding to the difficulty, Romaine Mundle (knee) and Habib Diarra (hamstring) remain doubts, although there is one more training session on Saturday to prove their fitness before Le Bris makes his final call.
Regardless of who’s available, wholesale changes look nailed on after the Alkmaar win, with the manager confirming as much in his press conference.
“We made four changes for our fixture against AZ Alkmaar and we have the option to make three, four or five changes to start with against Manchester City,” he said.
“We will also need to call on some substitutes throughout the game as well to finish things off. It is the reality of the level we’re at now.”
Le Bris hints at Premier League debut for Méthalie
One enforced change is already locked in at the back, with Reinildo suspended following his red card against Arsenal last weekend.
Asked who might come in at left-back, Le Bris gave a strong hint that a full Premier League debut could be on the cards for Dayann Méthalie.
“Reinildo is suspended, so we will have to see who comes in at left-back. Dayann Méthalie is one of the options, but let’s see.”
It would be a considerable step up for the youngster, who arrived at the Stadium of Light having spent last season playing predominantly further forward for Toulouse.
He made 31 appearances in all competitions for the French side last season, almost exclusively as a left-sided midfielder, but has at least featured at left-back since his move to Wearside, in the League Cup win over Hull City.
A full Premier League debut, let alone a start against the champions, would be an entirely different proposition.
Should he get the nod, Méthalie is likely to find himself with the unenviable task of trying to contain Iliman Ndiaye down City’s right, one of the trickiest wide threats in the division. It will be worth watching closely whether Le Bris looks to offer him some protection, whether that’s through a more conservative winger tucking in ahead of him or a tweak to the shape to keep an extra body on that side of the pitch.
With Sunderland still finding their feet back in the top flight and City looming as arguably the toughest fixture of the season so far, Le Bris will be balancing the emotional lift of Thursday night against the cold reality of what Sunday demands. Throwing a 20 year-old in at left-back against the champions is a bold call, but it’s one the head coach appears increasingly willing to make.
