It’s hard to pick a single standout player for Sunderland so far this season.
Sunderland have made quite an unprecedented start to the 2024/25 season.
Despite a 3-2 defeat vs Plymouth Argyle last time out, the Black Cats remain in 1st place of the Championship table, and expectations for the season ahead remain high.
Regis Le Bris has already set a very high bar for his Sunderland side this season after a string of really positive performances in the Championship.
Before Plymouth, Sunderland put away Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, and Portsmouth with relative ease, conceding just once in those four games too.
There’s been some standout performers for the Black Cats including Real Madrid-linked Chris Rigg, who’s also linked with several Premier League clubs following his impressive start.
Elsewhere, summer signing Alan Browne is proving to be a shrewd addition from sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, with particular praise going to the likes of Eliezer Mayenda and Dennis Cirkin as well.
Phil Smith hails Romaine Mundle impact at Sunderland
Romaine Mundle is another who’s earning plaudits for his start to the season.
And Mundle didn’t even start the opening two games of the campaign.
The former Spurs man has come into the XI following Jack Clarke’s move to Ipswich Town, and since doing so, the 21-year-old has scored three goals.
Mundle scored vs Plymouth and has now scored a goal in each of his last three.
He’s certainly softened the blow of Clarke leaving, and journalist Phil Smith believes that Mundle may well be the Black Cats’ ‘Player of the Season so far’.
Smith said on The Roar: “I know he didn’t start the first couple of games, but you could make a case to put him in there for Player of the Season so far in the opening five games, because of the context of what he’s had to take on in replacing Jack Clarke.
“Think about the pressure going into that game the day we knew Clarke was going, for Mundle to produce that performance against Burnley, and then to back it up in the last two.”
Smith added: “I cant speak highly enough of Mundle. I think he’s been exceptional for the last three games.”
Romaine Mundle’s biggest Sunderland challenge lies ahead
Mundle has now proven that he’s capable of filling Clarke’s boots at Sunderland.
But his biggest challenge this season will be whether or not he can keep up this current form throughout the season.
And arguably, that challenge is a task for Le Bris, who’ll have to utilise all of his options to make sure that Mundle, and the rest of his players, are as fit as possible throughout the campaign.
Playing such an intense and fast-paced game, it’s going to be a real challenge for Le Bris to keep everyone fit.
But having stocked up well during the summer transfer window, Le Bris and Sunderland are certainly ready for that challenge.