Sunderland’s most-used XI revealed as Regis Le Bris praises Trai Hume | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris has built Sunderland’s surprise Premier League surge on a dependable core, with Trai Hume logging more minutes than any team-mate as the head coach hails his defensive versatility.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats resume after the international break with a home game against struggling Tottenham Hotspur. Their Tyne-Wear derby victory at Newcastle United has left them in the hunt for European football for only the second time, the first since Bob Stokoe’s side entered the Cup Winners’ Cup after the 1973 FA Cup triumph over Leeds United.

Momentum from last season’s Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United, allied to an excellent summer window, has underpinned their rise. New arrivals Robin Roefs, Omar Alderete, Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey have become key figures.

Sunderland’s most-used XI by minutes is: GK Robin Roefs 2,520. Defence, Nordi Mukiele 2,165, Omar Alderete 2,356, Dan Ballard 2,008, Trai Hume 2,585. Midfield, Granit Xhaka 2,273, Noah Sadiki 2,297, Habib Diarra 1,103. Attack, Enzo Le Fee 2,306, Brian Brobbey 1,370, Chemsdine Talbi 1,330.

Le Bris has described Hume as strongly versatile, able to play left-back, right-back, right wing and in midfield, and even as a centre-back in a back three, though not yet in a back four. He said Hume helps Sunderland shift naturally into a 5-4-1 against stronger opponents away and vary his role in possession, whether wide, inside or as part of a double pivot around the No 10 space. He believes that unpredictability makes Hume especially valuable.

Source: Sunderland Echo