Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has a lot of selection dilemmas right now.
But they’re all positive dilemmas for Regis Le Bris who now has a very well-stocked Sunderland first-team squad.
Deadline day saw four new players arrive at the Stadium of Light and a couple look set to feature vs Plymouth Argyle this weekend, with Chris Mepham and Milan Aleksic in contention.
Salis Abdul Samed is injured for another 10 days, whilst Ahmed Abdullahi is undergoing surgery and won’t be available for selection for the next three months.
Positions across the pitch now have a healthy bit of competition and that’ll prove fruitful for Sunderland Le Bris going deeper into this 2024/25 season, which has started very well for the Black Cats.
Mainly in midfield and attack, Sunderland now have a lot of strong options, and keeping everyone happy might be one of Le Bris’ biggest challenges in his first season on Wearside.
One particular dilemma emerging for the Frenchman is what to do with Tom Watson.
Tom Watson still knocking on first-team door at Sunderland
For the best part of a year now, Sunderland fans have been waiting patiently to see 18-year-old Watson given a proper run in the first-team.
He featured once in the Championship last season and hasn’t been anything more than an unused substitute this season.
But the summer sale of Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town has made Romaine Mundle the no.1 choice in that left wing position, and it could make Watson no.2.
During the international break, Watson has shone for the Sunderland U21s once again, scoring some impressive goals and giving Le Bris some food for thought.
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It makes sense to move Watson into the first-team and give him what was Mundle’s role last season, and given Mundle Clarke’s role.
Mundle has shone since Clarke’s exit with two goals in two games. But now Le Bris must start to entrust Watson with some first-team minutes.
On deadline day, Brighton made a move for Watson but were knocked back.
With interest in Watson now known, Sunderland and Le Bris must be careful not to deter Watson from wanting to stay at Sunderland.
The club remains one that is well known for giving youngsters game time but so far, we’ve barely seen anything of Watson.
In the coming weeks, Le Bris should give some substitute appearances to Watson, and if he shows positive signs, give him his first league start.