Sunderland summer signing Alan Browne has discussed where he’ll be playing under Regis Le Bris next season.
Sunderland completed the free signing of Alan Browne following his Preston release, shortly after Regis Le Bris was appointed as the club’s new head coach.
The pair take on a new challenge at the same time; Le Bris is jumping unto the unknown, whilst Browne adds much-needed Championship experience to the side.
The 29-year-old, 35-time Republic of Ireland international made a staggering 414 appearances for Preston North End, with 346 of those coming in the Championship.
Adding proven second tier quality is vital for Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman this summer, with Mike Dodds and Michael Beale both suggesting that this Sunderland side lacked Championship expertise.
Browne also bolsters a midfield that lost Bradley Dack and Corry Evans at the end of last season. Though where exactly Browne will fit into Le Bris’ Sunderland XI remains to be seen.
Alan Browne highlights midfield versatility and reveals preferred position for Sunderland
Speaking to Sunderland Echo from the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain, Browne has discussed his probable role in the Sunderland XI next season.
Browne said: “My preferred position is probably in midfield and as an eight, though I do like playing holding midfield and as a ten as well.
“I can do a job pretty much anywhere, I think I’ve played pretty much everywhere apart from goalkeeper at Preston.”
Browne added: “We’ve had those conversations before I signed, the club understand my preference and they agree with that as well. It just adds value that I can play a few different positions.
“They want me to play central midfield and I want to play there, but obviously if there are injuries etc along the way then I’m more than happy to do the job for my team.”
Will Alan Browne be a regular starter under Regis Le Bris at Sunderland
Le Bris’ favoured formation is a 3-4-2-1, though with Lorient he often swapped between that and a 4-2-3-1.
Either way, there’ll always be two central midfielders on the pitch, and Browne being the most experienced at Sunderland may become a regular starter, in order to add balance to the side.
In a 4-2-3-1 set up, he could also play behind the striker should the likes of Jobe Bellingham be needed to play in the no.9 position, so Browne certainly seems like a very useful signing for the Black Cats.
He barely missed a game for Preston during his time there and so Speakman will be hoping that he can avoid the Sunderland injury curse, and give Le Bris a midfield option throughout the 2024/25 season.
Who partners Browne in midfield remains to be seen; Dan Neil is a nailed on starter, so that could mean the less-experienced Pierre Ekwah dropping to the bench, which could be probable after his mixed 2023/24 season.