Sunderland star Trai Hume has been subject to a brilliant improvement this season, as he becomes one of Regis Le Bris’ top players.
Sunderland beat West Brom this weekend as Regis Le Bris’ side further cemented their 4th place position in the Championship.
Trai Hume was the goalscorer for Sunderland vs West Brom, bagging the decisive goal as he did in the home win against Millwall, where he was utilised out of position at left-back amid injury issues that plagued the likes of Leo Hjelde.
Whilst we didn’t need the reminder, these last two games have showcased the brilliance of Hume and how much of an improvement he has underwent this season under Le Bris, from being a deopendable defender, to one of Sunderland’s most potent goalthreats, something that utilamtely comes down to the Northern Irish international improving in one key area.
Trai Hume has undergone vast attacking improvement for Sunderland
On the surface, it is clear that Hume has played a vital role for Sunderland in an attacking sense, with the Black Cats man notching a total of nine goal contributions (three goals and six assists) in the 2024/25 Championship season, the second highest amount recorded this season by a defender.
The amount of big chances that Hume has created this season has already surpassed his total in 2023/24 of four, having recorded 12 already at this stage of the campaign.
Much of this improvement comes from Hume’s confidence to play more progressive passes in comparison to last year, as, per Fbref, 54% of his balls being played short (between five and 15 yards), whilst this season this stands just at 48%, a small but still noticeable difference.
Hume also continuously finds himself in more space on the flanks, giving him more of an opportunity to get crosses in, in which he has recorded an average of 25% more per game, and is a prime example of how, for instance, he was able to set up Eliezer Mayenda for his second goal in the win against Sheffield Wednesday.
Forget Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, Kristjaan Speakman must fight to keep Trai Hume next season
Much of Sunderland’s hopes in the summer transfer market, particularly in regards to keeping hold of their top talents, depends on their league status and whether they are able to achieve promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Whilst Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are two players that have attracted interest from Premier League clubs, Sunderland should actually be concerned over losing Hume the most after the impact he has made this campaign.
Kristjaan Speakman must be thrhoughly aware that Hume should be placed in the same bracket as the likes of Jobe and Rigg, to the point where everything must be done to keep the talented defender on Wearside.