Regis Le Bris gets underway as Sunderland boss this weekend.
Sunderland face Cardiff City in the opening round of the 2024/25 Championship season this weekend.
For the Black Cats, it’s the start of a new chapter under new boss Regis Le Bris, who is taking charge of his first competitive game on English soil.
It’s been a mixed summer for Sunderland who’ve picked up some decent results in pre-season, with the last being a 2-2 draw vs Marseille.
In the transfer market though, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has offered mixed results, with Le Bris still waiting on a new striker signing.
Sunderland have been linked with Ike Ugbo but he appears to be closing in on a move to Sheffield Wednesday, whereas a move for Sunderland target Alexandre Mendy appears to be up in the air.
One signing that has got fans talking though is Ian Poveda; Poveda signed on a three-year deal after being released by Leeds United this summer, but arrives on the back of a previous injury.
Regis Le Bris update on Ian Poveda fitness at Sunderland
Poveda splits opinion; he’s a game-changer when fit, but he’s not often fit.
In four years at Leeds United he made just 30 first-team appearances, albeit spending time out on loan with mixed results.
He impressed in his last loan outing with Sheffield Wednesday who were desperate to re-sign the 24-year-old.
Poveda though missed the final five games of last season and has barely had a pre-season.
Speaking to Sunderland Echo about the winger’s fitness levels right now, Le Bris said: “We need to build a strong foundation for him because he started late with the team, with three or maybe four weeks later.”
Le Bris added: ”So we are waiting for him but in good condition.
“I think that in 10 days or a maximum of two weeks, he will be available for the world.”
Ian Poveda return could be bad news for two Sunderland players
Poveda is one of the growing number of players in the Sunderland side who are tried and tested in the Championship.
He’ll add a very dynamic and exciting option to Sunderland’s attack when available, with Poveda able to operate effectively on both the left and right side of attack.
Expect Poveda and Speakman to be keen to see Poveda in action, along with Sunderland fans, and expect the likes of Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts to be anticipating some stiff competition from the Colombian international.
Jack Clarke has a spot in the XI nailed down; with Le Bris looking set to don a 4-2-3-1 formation, we’ll likely see two wide players on the pitch for Sunderland next season, at least for the opening weeks of the campaign.
That leaves the right-sided position up for grabs with Roberts looking like he could start in that position against Cardiff, after doing so against Marseille, then Mundle looking as though he’ll be back up to Clarke.
But the impressive Mundle could yet be tried out on the right if Roberts doesn’t impress.
Then with Poveda in the mix for both the left and right starting spots, it gives Le Bris a bit of a selection headache, albeit a good one.
Both Roberts and Mundle endured challenging 2023/24 seasons, Roberts especially, so Poveda’s eventual return will surely be a worry to them.
At the same time, added competition could help all improve, Poveda included.