The youngster will have to prove to Regis Le Bris that he should be part of Sunderland’s plans.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has taken a bold tactic of ensuring that no deadwood are amongst the Black Cats’ squad ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Decisions have already reportedly been made to move on Sunderland trio Jay Matete, Jewison Bennette and Luis Hemir, with all three not featuring in the latest pre-season clash with League One outfit Blackpool.
Young players are clearly getting replaced by more dependable and experienced heads, such as Alan Browne, who impressed in the Blackpool 1-0 away win.
With Sunderland looking to bring extra faces into the side, such as 2023/24 Ligue 2 top scorer Alexandre Mendy, there will no doubt be further players axed from the matchday squad.
There is one defender in particular who will need to stake his claim to be involved in Le Bris’ plans, or could be heading towards an exit from the Stadium of Light.
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Timothee Pembele must impress Sunderland boss Regis le Bris
Sunderland defender Timothee Pembele suffered from a lacklustre 2023/24 campaign that saw him struggle for game time.
His season began with an unfortunate knee injury that saw him out of action until the end of December, however once he made his return he was given just three starts.
He has been given opportunities during pre-season, however looked ‘shaky’ in the away defeat to National League outfit Gateshead, per Sunderland Echo.
The Frenchman undoubtedly faces an uphill battle to turn around his pre-season and prove that he deserves a spot in Le Bris’ line up.
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Timothee Pembele’s versatility could be key for Sunderland
Pembele’s tenure on Wearside so far clearly hasn’t entirely gone to plan, from injury woes, to being unable to cement a place in the starting line-up.
His pre-season hasn’t gone entirely to plan, with his defensive mistake leading to one of Gateshead’s goals, however an altered role for the Frenchman could get the best out of him.
Pembele can be utilised either at centre-back or right-midfield, as well as his usual right-back position.
The 21-year-old was slotted in at right-midfield for his three starts under Mike Dodds in the latter stages of the 2023/24 Championship campaign, where Sunderland managed to grab four points in three games.
Although the best of Pembele is undoubtedly yet to be seen, he has performed previously in Ligue 1 for both PSG and Bordeaux, showing that he has qualities that could massively help Le Bris’ side.
Whatever happens, these qualities must be shown soon from Pembele, otherwise there would be no surprise if Le Bris was to declare him surplus to requirements and feel no need to have him involved in the first-team.