Le Bris found a new Pickford at Sunderland and it’s not Roefs

Sunderland enjoyed a successful return to the Premier League, but a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Friday evening was no excuse.

Recently, there have been discussions regarding Regis Le Bris and the stability of the Frenchman’s position at the head. It seems silly to question Le Bris’ performance after the incredible success of the past year, but the underlying metrics paint a concerning picture.

Throughout the season, Sunderland lacked out-and-out creativity, instead relying on their training and organization and cohesion to succeed.

Furthermore, they have been riddled with holes at the back since the start of the calendar year, so questions will be raised if le Bris sits down for an end-of-season review.

However, Sunderland still have a long way to go, with Robin Roefs, for the most part, the foundation of this high-flying operation.

Why Sunderland hit the jackpot on Roefs

Last summer, Sunderland made major changes in the transfer market. It’s rare for a newly promoted side to recruit with such precision and intensity, but it paid off, and Roefs is a prime example of why they showed such desire.

He arrived from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen for an undisclosed fee last season, and has already established himself as one of the summer signings. Roefs is only 23 years old, and has many prime years ahead of him.

The aggressive style of the 6 foot 3 shot-stopper suggests that top clubs will be storming the Stadium of Light in the future, and indeed, Roefs has already received interest from Tottenham Hotspur this season. The Black Cats have quoted their division rivals at £50m.

However, Roefs wasn’t the only defensive star riding the wave. Fortunes may have dimmed in recent weeks, but there is one talent emerging as the new version of Jordan Pickford’s club.

Le Bris has signed Jordan Pickford for Sunderland

Pickford may not have played much of his career with Sunderland, but he remains a boyhood fan of the club, having left for Everton in a £30m deal in 2017.

The Three Lions goalkeeper is one of the best in the business, and while Sunderland haven’t enjoyed his services for long, they can ensure lightning doesn’t strike twice by keeping Dan Ballard on the books as the England-born defender continues to go from strength to strength.

Ballard is not Mackem by birth, he arrives from Arsenal in 2022. The Northern Ireland international has been successful as a step-son, however, which is essential for promotion to the Premier League.

Ballard, 26, is now one of the worst defenders in the division, and will take over the captaincy from Granit Xhaka if the Swiss is out.

Having played such an important role in Sunderland’s rise, Ballard is regarded as a ‘modern-day great’ by fans. That name would grow over the next few years, becoming a team something Pickford was unable to do as he headed for pastures new.

Of course the goalkeeper was going to put on his belt, he has already sat down. Ballard, however, rejected the interest expected to extend his stay at the club. He may not have been born in Sunderland, but he will go down as a legend.

Whether Ballard makes the most of his prime for Sunderland remains to be seen. Whether Le Bris will be in charge at that time is also in question.

However, Ballard is the real deal, a “diamond” of a defender, as noted by his former manager, Tony Mowbray. If the Wearsiders let him go, they will come and do it in the same way they watched with envy as Pickford flourished on Merseyside.

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