One under-the-radar Sunderland star has been an important figure for Regis Le Bris this season as his unbeaten record this season continues.
Sunderland’s 1-0 victory against West Brom was another important win for Regis Le Bris’ side.
The Black Cats beat their former boss Tony Mowbray thanks to a stunning free kick from Trai Hume was enough to earn all three points.
Hume continued his impressive form of late, and centre-back Chris Mepham also earned praise for his display at the weekend.
Aside from Hume and Mepham, one under-the-radar Sunderland star continued their impressive performances this season and once more proved why he is Le Bris’ lucky charm this term.
Leo Hjelde is Regis Le Bris’ lucky charm this season
Versatile defender Leo Hjelde may not be one of the headline-grabbing Sunderland stars akin to Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, but his presence this season has been important.
Hjelde has played 181 minutes of Championship football this season, with Le Bris calling on the Norwegian in light of Dennis Cirkin’s injury woes.
The 21-year-old’s latest cameo came in the 1-0 win against West Brom after he replaced makeshift full-back Alan Browne with 20 minutes to go.
Hjelde ended the Baggies win with 100% tackle win-rate, making seven clearances and committing zero fouls to help secure the imperative victory for Le Bris’ side.
His West Brom display continued Hjelde’s spectacular run in red and white this season. Sunderland have not lost an outing in which the former Leeds youngster has featured in, with Hjelde making 11 appearances – 2 from the start – with Sunderland winning nine and drawing twice in those fixtures.
With only eight conceded across those games – and four clean sheets overseen – it can’t be a coincidence that the defender’s resolute efforts are pivotal for the Black Cats, particularly during the tense closing stages.
Regis Le Bris is glad Leo Hjelde didn’t leave on loan
Hjelde has cemented himself as a reliable squad member for Le Bris to call, one which the Sunderland boss could’ve lost during the January window.
Underrated Hjelde turned down a January Sunderland exit, and that decision has proven to be the best course of action for himself and Le Bris, given his physical presence and versatility being needed amid Sunderland’s defensive injury issues this campaign.
In January, Le Bris said of Hjelde via the Northern Echo: “He had opportunities to go out on loan and we talked together, I had to say that I could not promise anything because a long season like this is unpredictable.
“For me it was clear that he could provide this support for the centre back and left back positions. He has been really important for us and he deserved this chance. He played well, he has been really important for us.”
Hjelde certainly has been “really important” for Le Bris this season, and Sunderland fans will be hoping the centre-back can continue being the Black Cats’ lucky charm with their Championship campaign approaching its climax.