Leo Hjelde made an unexpected return to the Sunderland XI on Friday night, starting at left-back as the Black Cats won 2-1 away against Sheffield Wednesday.
Regis Le Bris surprised many with his changes to the Sunderland XI on Friday night, making five changes with all of Eliezer Mayenda, Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne, Chris Mepham, and Leo Hjelde coming into the staring lineup.
And it was Mayenda who opened the scoring in the first half before Wednesday equalised soon after the restart through Callum Paterson.
But Mayenda would score his second of the game and his fourth of the season against Wednesday in the 71st minute, handing the Black Cats a much-needed win on the road, following their 1-0 defeat against Hull City last time out.
Sunderland fans unimpressed with Leo Hjelde at left-back
Dennis Cirkin’s demotion to the bench on Friday raised some eyebrows. And Hjelde failed to take his chance with an overall tough performance at Hillsborough.
Sunderland fans on social media described him as “vulnerable” as one even described his performance as “horrific”.
“Hjelde’s not a left back” said one fan. A similar comment read: “Hjelde is not a left back, he tucks in too much.”
Another Black Cats supporter said: “Hjelde getting pulled out of position every time.” One fan even said that the Norwegian adds “nothing to the team”.
Meanwhile, one fan said: “Hjelde’s a decent player but he’s not that good yet.”
- READ MORE: Pierre Ekwah admission on his Sunderland future as St Etienne loan goes from bad to worse
What Regis Le Bris said about Leo Hjelde leaving Sunderland in January
Hjelde has featured just eight times in the Championship this season, making his first league start under Le Bris against Sheffield Wednesday.
And inevitably in January, there was speculation that he could’ve left the Stadium of Light. But speaking about Hjelde’s Sunderland future, Le Bris had this to say: “He knows this part of the squad is the strongest at the minute because we have many players and he has to wait. But it’s still possible that the opportunity will come.”
After a mixed performance against the Owls, Le Bris may not think twice about the club cashing in on the 21-year-old in the summer. He remains young though and with a full season or two of playing elsewhere, he could blossom into a useful player.