Régis Le Bris
Sunderland is grappling with a selection conundrum as they prepare to face Bournemouth this weekend. Following a 3-1 defeat to Fulham, the team is left pondering their options for the wings at the Vitality Stadium. With several players potentially unavailable, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris must carefully consider his lineup choices.
Régis Le Bris said: “I’d be really tempted to keep Enzo [Le Fée] central. I think that he brings so much and, as obvious as it is that you want to get Diarra into the side, I think that Enzo has almost made himself undroppable for me in that position. Time and time again, even when Sunderland aren’t performing, he looks like their best player. He looks like the one who has a bit of something about him that can create something from nothing, and his work rate is just phenomenal – going both ways, he brings so much to the side. I would be tempted to stick Angulo out on the left again for the sake of consistency, because I thought, especially before the break against Fulham, he looked bright. I’m almost tempted to suggest putting Diarra out on the right. I think that when we’ve seen him there – West Ham second half, his cameo against Brighton – I know it’s not exactly a broad sample to be working from, but I think he’s shown that he has the capability to do it. I think it’s a way of getting him into the side without sacrificing personnel. You would hope that because he’s got that engine on him, again, he would offer the defensive cover that Le Bris values in his wingers. It’s obviously not an ideal solution, and it’s not one that I would necessarily suggest long-term, but if we’re assuming that Ta Bi’s out and Mundle’s out, that leads you into a position where you’ve got Talbi as an option, but while I think he has done well on the right on occasion, I think it’s obvious it’s not his preferred position. [Eliezer] Mayenda, I thought, looked bright when he came on against Fulham, but then there are questions about whether or not he naturally has that defensive side to his game. And I just think that if we’re talking about looking for a solution, then I see no reason why you wouldn’t at least try Diarra on the right. But again, maybe that’s something that Le Bris is reluctant to do, I don’t know.”
Phil Smith said: “I asked him [Le Bris] about that last week in the press conference. He said he likes him [Diarra] in the middle, but I do kind of agree with you. I think there’s maybe a bit of a needs-and-must scenario. I do think Angulo deserves another crack. I think he did enough for me in his hour on the pitch.”
The selection headache stems from the uncertain availability of Traore, Ta Bi, and Mundle, with Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo both favoring the left flank. Le Bris is considering keeping Enzo Le Fée in a central role due to his consistent performances, while Angulo might retain his position on the left. Diarra is being considered for the right wing, despite Le Bris’s preference for him in the middle. The manager values defensive cover from his wingers, which Diarra could potentially provide. However, this decision is not without its challenges, as it would require adjustments in the lineup and might not be a long-term solution. As Sunderland prepares for the Bournemouth match, Le Bris must weigh his options carefully to address this tactical challenge.
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