Sunderland have plenty of candidates for the Championship XI of the season so far. But what about the Championship’s most improved XI following on from last season?
Sunderland were in fact, rather woeful in the Championship last time round. They won just four games after New Year and slumped to a 16th place finish in the league, ending the season just six points above the drop.
Arguably, Jack Clark’s goals kept Sunderland in the league last time round. But even despite Clarke’s move to Ipswich Town, the Black Cats are flying high under Regis Le Bris.
The Frenchman has Sunderland sitting in 1st place of the Championship table. Summer signing Wilson Isidor has hit the ground running with four goals to his name already, whilst deadline day signing Chris Mepham has proved to be a revelation at the back.
Elsewhere, the return of Dennis Cirkin has also felt like a new signing for the Black Cats.
Dennis Cirkin named in pundit’s most improved XI in the Championship this season
Speaking on the Second Tier podcast, EFL pundit Ryan Dilks named his most-improved XI in the Championship this season.
And he featured Cirkin at left-back. Former Spurs man Cirkin was injured for Sunderland last season, managing just eight Championship appearances. But he’s started and finished every Championship game for the Black Cats so far this season.
Dilks said of the 22-year-old: “Dennis Cirkin missed the majority of last season through injury, and he’s shown Sunderland fans what they were missing.
“An unbelievable full-back who’s brilliant both going forwards, and defensively. He’s been the clear standout full-back in the division this season.
“I don’t think anyone else particularly comes close.”
Dennis Cirkin is topping the Championship rosters with Sunderland this season
Per WhoScored, Cirkin is the highest-rated player in the Championship for this season so far.
And when we look at the stats, it’s easy to see why. Cirkin ranks 3rd in the entire league for number of players tackles (44), third for tackles won (25), and joint-first for tackles won in the defensive third (28).
Cirkin also ranks fourth in the entire league for interceptions so far this season (24).
Like Dilks says as well, Cirkin is a real outlet going forward. Cirkin ranks fifth in the side for shot-per-game (1.4) and seventh for key passes-per-game (0.8), with one goal and one assist to his name so far.
Cirkin may not be ‘most improved’ as such. Instead, he’s simply reminded us all of the potential and ability he has, with this new style of play at Sunderland really suiting him.