Sunderland drew with Leeds United in their last outing, fielding a starting XI full of young talent and future potential.
Sunderland got lucky last time out. Illan Meslier made a blunder, somehow allowing the ball to slip past him for a late Sunderland equaliser.
But the Championship table doesn’t lie, nor does it account for luck. The Black Cats sit top of the pile for this month’s international break.
Regis Le Bris is earning plaudits for his fine start to life in England. But Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and indeed sporting director Kristjaan Speakman are earning praise too.
They’ve put together a very exciting first-team squad full of potential and future profit. Here we discuss how much the strongest Sunderland XI is worth…
Anthony Patterson – £20million
Anthony Patterson is wanted by Manchester United right now, having had links to the likes of Liverpool and Wolves beforehand.
Amid these emerging links to United, Patterson is being touted as a £20million player.
Dennis Cirkin – £5million
Dennis Cirkin is a difficult one to value right now. If he had stayed injury-free since Sunderland’s return to the Championship, we’d no doubt be talking about another £15million or £20million player.
He’s still got a lot to prove. But Cirkin is having a huge impact this season.
Luke O’Nien – £0
For the sake of argument, let’s assume that 29-year-old Luke O’Nien leaves the club as a free agent in 2026 when his contract expires, and doesn’t get snapped up before then.
He’s having a fine season nonetheless.
Dan Ballard – £19million
Dan Ballard was one who had transfer interest in the summer, with Will Still and Reims taking an interest.
He’s had other links in the past as well; when linked to Everton earlier this year, a £19million price tag was reported.
Trai Hume – £10million
£10million for Trai Hume certainly seems like a starting point. He was statistically the best tackler in the Championship last season, rarely putting a foot wrong.
He had interest from Aston Villa and Napoli this year when a £10million price tag was mentioned.
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Dan Neil – £10million
Dan Neil has faced criticism this season. But he’s since gotten back to form with solid performances in his last two.
He’s had links to Liverpool in the past, but no firm price tag has ever been mentioned. In January, Sunderland were urged to command £10million or more for Neil.
Chris Rigg – £25million
For Chris Rigg and his transfer value, the sky is the limit. Both Real Madrid and Manchester United have been linked with Rigg this season, but no price tag has emerged from the Stadium of Light.
But the Black Cats have been urged to command £25million for Rigg, should interest materialise anytime soon.
Romaine Mundle – unknown
Romaine Mundle is a very tricky one. He was signed for £2million in January, and has only this season shown his potential.
He’s not yet had any transfer interest but if his fine form continues then it’ll be inevitable. But right now, putting a fair value on Mundle is very difficult.
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Jobe Bellingham – £20million
Jobe Bellingham had plenty of transfer interest in the summer, namely from Crystal Palace, though Spurs were also linked.
And throughout the summer, a £20million price tag was mentioned, with Sunderland standing firm on that.
Palace had bids rejected for the impressive midfielder.
Patrick Roberts – £0
Like with O’Nien, Roberts is an older head in this side, and also out of contract in 2026 having joined on a free transfer during the 2021/22 season.
But he’s enjoying a very strong season so far.
Wilson Isidor – on loan
Wilson Isidor is on loan from Zenit and technically not Sunderland’s player.
But even minus him, and minus the likes of Roberts and O’Nien who are older players, and not accounting a potential value for Mundle, the above XI is worth a staggering £109million by our calculations.
And that’s not even considering the likes of deadline day signings Milan Aleksic and Ahmed Abdullahi who could go on to become yet more valuable assets for the club.
Also Tom Watson and the other academy gems who might breakthrough. And the somewhat deadwood players like Adil Aouchiche and Abdoullah Ba who could possibly net Sunderland a few hundred thousand if they’re sold.
Sunderland are sitting on a goldmine right now.