The Black Cats’ 2024/25 Championship season doesn’t seem quite as impressive based on one eye-opening statistic.
Sunderland currently find themselves 4th in the Championship table, with an upcoming clash with Norwich City proving to be an opportunity for the Black Cats to further cement their spot in the league.
Many are quite surprised to see the Black Cats flying so high in the Championship table, with fellow managers praising Regis Le Bris for his efforts this season with Sunderland, and there is no doubt that he has made a significant difference on Wearside.
The side were more than lacklustre and unspirited in the unsatisfactory 2023/24 campaign that was derailed by the appointment of Michael Beale and temporary holding of the coach role by Mike Dodds, and the French boss has been incredible in turning that around.
A lot of fans would suggest that Le Bris is in fact overachieving with this current Sunderland side, however, one statistic certainly goes a long way in quashing that view.
Sunderland market value stats suggest they should be gunning for promotion
Whilst Sunderland made some late acquisitions in the summer transfer window, they have a similar-looking side to the one that finished 16th in the disappointing 2023/24 Championship season, which led many to believe that it would be difficult to mount a play-off push, let alone a promotion chase.
However, per Transfermarkt, Sunderland actually have the 4th highest market value in the Championship, meaning that 4th in the league table is actually where they should be, and as a result, they are not over or underachieving this season.
Young Sunderland trio Anthony Patterson, Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg all rack up the highest market value, whilst yet-to-be-seen defensive-midfielder Salis Abdul Samed also holds a high value.
Sunderland market value only confirms the disappointment of last season under Michael Beale
The decision last season to get rid of Tony Mowbray was rightly regarded as a bold, yet bizarre choice to be undertaken, especially when the successor in waiting was Beale.
Taking over a Sunderland side that were in-and-around the play-off spots at the time of his arrival, it is now clear that market value suggests that the Black Cats were exactly where they should have been at that stage in the season, due to the market value.
The drop-off that Sunderland underwent last season was spectacular enough, but it is that much more eye-opening considering the value of the squad and the players he had at his disposal.
It also shows that Le Bris does deserve unwavering credit for his job before, and whilst market value suggests that it has not been a terrific season under the Frenchman, there is no doubt that taking over from the side that was mentally unprepared last season was a task in itself.