Sunderland's strongest starting line-up based on minutes played this season under Regis Le Bris
Who has played the most minutes for Sunderland so far this season?
We’re now over halfway through the Premier League season, and Sunderland sit well-placed in 10th.
The Black Cats have picked up 30 points from 21 matches so far, maintaining one of the division’s best defensive records to steal close wins and see out brave results against some of England’s top sides. While the backline has remained stable throughout most of the campaign, Regis Le Bris has experimented with numerous different attacking combinations as he seeks to find a little more verve in the final third.
That got us thinking about who has clocked the most minutes for Sunderland this season. Here’s Le Bris’ strongest starting line-up based on minutes played.
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Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Minutes: 1890
It’ll come as no surprise to see Robin Roefs topping the Sunderland charts for time on the pitch, playing every single minute of their Premier League campaign so far. The Dutchman has been sensational, sitting second among Premier League goalkeepers for saves (71) and keeping the third-most clean sheets (7).
Right-back: Trai Hume
Minutes: 1,744
Trai Hume has been through it all with Sunderland, playing for them in League One, the Championship and, now, the Premier League. The Northern Ireland international has clocked the third-most minutes (1,744) of any Black Cats player in the Premier League this season and has looked every inch a top-flight player.
Centre-back: Nordi Mukiele
Minutes: 1,710
Just behind Hume on minutes played is Nordi Mukiele. The Frenchman has split his time between full-back and centre-back so far, but wherever he’s played, he’s been among Regis Le Bris’ most reliable assets. Mukiele is first among Sunderland players in a number of key metrics, including tackles (47), interceptions (28) and clearances (117).
Centre-back: Omar Alderete
Minutes: 1,470
Mukiele’s partner in crime and fellow summer signing, Omar Alderete, has been equally effective at the back for the Black Cats, sitting second only to the Frenchman in a host of important defensive stats. His minutes were hit by a four-game absence due to a head injury, but he’s well back into the swing of things now.
Left-back: Reinildo Mandava
Minutes: 1,023
A red card suspension and Africa Cup of Nations duties have had a big effect on Reinildo’s minutes, but the fact he’s still managed to break the 1,000-mark tells you just how reliable he’s been when available.
Central midfield: Granit Xhaka
Minutes: 1,873
Only Roefs has played more minutes than Granit Xhaka for Sunderland this season, and the pair are the top contenders for Sunderland’s signing of the season. In fact, Xhaka is the top pick for many for the signing of the season across the entire Premier League. The Switzerland international is fourth in the division for assists (5), and first among Sunderland players in key stats such as passes completed (915), final third passes completed (117), ball carries (696) and recoveries (100).
Central midfield: Noah Sadiki
Minutes: 1,416
Noah Sadiki was almost ever-present before jetting off to Afcon with the DR Congo. He’ll be straight back into the team when he returns, resuming his superb midfield partnership with Xhaka.
Right wing: Chemsdine Talbi
Minutes: 887
As mentioned, Le Bris is yet to settle on a consistent combination in attack. Chemsdine Talbi has played the most minutes of any winger so far, but has used them to register just two goals and one assist.
Attacking midfield: Enzo Le Fee
Minutes: 1,581
One player who has regularly featured in the final third is Enzo Le Fee. Often lining up as a No.10, but sometimes dropping deeper, the Frenchman has created a team-high 29 chances so far, posting four assists and two goals.
Left wing: Simon Adingra
Minutes: 658
Like Talbi, Simon Adingra has been given plenty of chances to impress this season, but still has just one goal and no assists to his name.
Striker: Wilson Isidor
Minutes: 980
Wilson Isidor started the season in fine form, netting four goals in his first nine Premier League appearances. However, since then, the Frenchman has failed to score in 10 outings, losing his place in the starting line-up to Brian Brobbey - who has clocked 704 minutes.
Sunderland squad ranked by minutes played
- Robin Roefs: 1,890 minutes
- Granit Xhaka: 1,873 minutes
- Trai Hume: 1,744 minutes
- Nordi Mukiele: 1,710 minutes
- Enzo Le Fée: 1,581 minutes
- Omar Alderete: 1,470 minutes
- Noah Sadiki: 1,416 minutes
- Dan Ballard: 1,224 minutes
- Reinildo Mandava: 1,023 minutes
- Wilson Isidor: 980 minutes
- Lutsharel Geertruida: 972 minutes
- Chemsdine Talbi: 887 minutes
- Brian Brobbey: 704 minutes
- Simon Adingra: 658 minutes
- Bertrand Traoré: 616 minutes
- Eliezer Mayenda: 496 minutes
- Chris Rigg: 382 minutes
- Habib Diarra: 373 minutes
- Dennis Cirkin: 250 minutes
- Romaine Mundle: 170 minutes
- Jenson Seelt: 134 minutes
- Arthur Masuaku: 127 minutes
- Patrick Roberts: 27 minutes
- Dan Neil: 13 minutes
- Marc Guiu: 13 minutes
- Luke O'Nien: 10 minutes