Sunderland's strongest XI by transfer value as key men miss out | OneFootball

Sunderland’s summer overhaul has them pushing for Europe on their Premier League return, and a notional strongest XI picked purely by transfer value shows who makes the cut.

According to Sunderland Echo, a club-record permanent deal for Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee at £20m was triggered by the play-off win over Sheffield United, then eclipsed by a reported £30m move for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra as the hierarchy led an ambitious recruitment drive.

On those valuations, the XI lines up as: GK Robin Roefs €25.00m, RB Trai Hume €22.00m, CBs Dan Ballard €20.00m and Omar Alderete €15.00m, LB Dennis Cirkin €8.00m. The midfield is Habib Diarra €32.00m, Noah Sadiki €30.00m and Chris Rigg €25.00m, with Chemsdine Talbi €25.00m left, Enzo Le Fee €25.00m right, and Brian Brobbey €25.00m up front.

That criteria leaves experienced recruits such as Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo Mandava outside this notional XI. Roefs has looked a shrewd pick-up, and Brobbey has already endeared himself to the Stadium of Light.

Head coach Regis Le Bris has said the 40 points mark arrived earlier than expected, although injuries and fatigue are now taking a toll. He has stressed identity, togetherness and hard work, and said there would be no excuses. In his view, reinforcing those pillars could set up better days when the squad is complete and freshness returns.

Source: Sunderland Echo