Sunderland's 2026/27 plan for Jocelin Ta Bi after January signing impresses on pre-season return | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Sunderland intend to keep Jocelin Ta Bi with the first team in 2026/27 after the January signing caught the eye on his pre-season return.

With several World Cup returnees arriving late, chances have opened for those already in the building. In Saturday’s win at York City, Ta Bi teed up Enzo Le Fée and repeatedly beat his man.

He shone for Ivory Coast U21s post-season and carried that confidence into his first outing of the campaign. Even so, with limited senior minutes, starting weekly at Premier League level remains a stretch.

Régis Le Bris invariably changes both wingers in the second half, so an incisive option from the bench has clear value. Whether against a low block or on the counter, Ta Bi could help.

Staying on Wearside also aids adaptation while he trains daily with high-calibre teammates, as Chris Rigg’s progress last season underlined. A loan is not off the table, though.

Regular starts in a top European league look unlikely for him right now, so close monitoring at Sunderland makes sense. Strong displays or new arrivals could yet prompt a move, but for now he looks to have a part to play and to build towards either greater involvement or a 2027/28 loan in a long-term project.

Source: Sunderland Echo