Sunderland have enjoyed a record-breaking start to their Championship campaign.
The Black Cats have picked up maximum points in their opening four fixtures, conceding only once to a Luke O’Nien goal.
Sunderland unsurprisingly sit top of the Championship table and have given themselves huge hopes for winning promotion this season.
Their whole squad have put on some brilliant performances so far, but there have been a few names who have really caught the eye on Wearside.
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Sunderland defender has been ‘superb’ this season
Bar his own goal, O’Nien has been ‘excellent’ in their opening matches, while Eliezer Mayenda has really surprised after picking up two goals and two assists so far.
The midfield trio of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Alan Browne have also impressed, though it is Dennis Cirkin who has statistically been one of the best in the league.
The left-back returned after an injury-ridden campaign last month, bagging an assist on the opening day before scoring his first goal in 16 months against Sheffield Wednesday.
According to WhoScored, Cirkin is now the third highest-rated player currently playing in the Championship (7.61), behind Middlesbrough’s Matt Clarke (7.63) and Karamoko Dembele (7.68).
Jack Clarke would have been top of the charts (8.31) if he hadn’t left for Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.
Cirkin has made the joint-most interceptions this season (10), as well as making a key contribution to their three clean sheets so far.
The Black Cats would really struggle if Dennis Cirkin got injured
The 22-year-old was tipped to be a real ‘game-changer’ once he returned to full fitness and hasn’t disappointed, enjoying a ‘superb’ start to the campaign.
Cirkin has little competition for his place given Niall Huggins and Aji Alese’s injury, but there is no doubt that he is currently one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The only concern for Regis Le Bris will be his injury record, as his potential absence would be a huge loss to both their defence and attack.
Cirkin worked brilliantly up the left flank with Clarke and now appears to be forming a brilliant relationship with Romaine Mundle too.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man adds important support on the attack for Sunderland’s winger, and if he was injured then there is no chance that his replacement – likely Leo Hjelde – would be able to make the same impact.
It’s only taken four matches, but there is no doubt that Cirkin is one of the best left-backs – if not the best – in the second division.