There my be hope that Regis Le Bris can be the one to get this Sunderland man back on track, after his poor showing in 2023/24.
Sunderland have really kick-started their summer transfer window following the arrival of Alan Browne on a free transfer.
He joins after Simon Moore also joined on a free transfer earlier in the summer, and it’s a signing that has excited a lot of Sunderland fans.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is earning praise for selling the Sunderland project to Browne and for adding some much-needed Championship experience to a still-very youthful Black Cats side.
There’s links to other such names like Oliver Norwood. But there’s certain players within the Sunderland first-team squad who are already established in the Championship, if not becoming more established.
Names like Dan Neil have 149 first-team appearances to his name for Sunderland and 87 in the Championship.
Patrick Roberts, now 27 years old, has 125 Championship appearances to his name and 281 in his career.
But Roberts was arguably Sunderland’s most disappointing player in the last 2023/24 season.
Patrick Roberts with Sunderland in 2023/24
Previously described as a ‘unique talent’ by Tony Mowbray, Roberts drew criticism for his bland performances in the Championship last time round.
Failing to score in 32 Championship games, Roberts grabbed just two assists and featured sporadically throughout the campaign, mostly off the bench with starting spots becoming a more rare thing for the ex-Manchester City man.
It followed an impressive 2022/23 campaign which saw Roberts score five goals and assist seven more in 44 Championship outings, with his performances drawing interest from the likes of Southampton this time last year.
Why Regis Le Bris arrival could be perfect cure for Patrick Roberts Sunderland frustrations
Sunderland desperately needed someone like Roberts to step up last season.
He’s one of the few experienced players in the side and someone who can provide that vital spark in the final third, which is another something that the Black Cats lacked at times last season.
But the arrival of Regis Le Bris may give Roberts the chance to get back in form, with Le Bris’ shape perhaps favouring someone like Roberts.
Le Bris largely played a 3-4-2-1 formation at Lorient. Le Bris also placed a lot of focus on wingers, who often cut inside and created chances or had a go at goal themselves.
Roberts, at his best, is a quality Championship winger who’s proven in the past that he can score and create goals, being most dangerous when cutting inside and getting to the edge of the opposition penalty area.
If Le Bris can get Roberts firing again then it’ll be like a whole new signing for Sunderland, who may need fresh quality in the final third if the likes of Jack Clarke or Jobe Bellingham leave this summer.