Sunderland's Patrick Roberts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Cardiff City at the Stadium Of Light, Sunderland on Sunday 24th September 2023. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sunderland supporters feel thankful after Luton Town transfer advances concluded with aim of bolstering the squad
It has been a dream start to the 2024/25 campaign for both Sunderland and Regis Le Bris, as they sit top of the Championship table after their opening four games. The Black Cats have won all four of their opening fixtures, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one.
That run of games includes a 1-0 win over promotion hopefuls, Burnley, in a game in which Sunderland went down to 10 men. They also pushed aside Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Portsmouth in dominant victories.
Le Bris was appointed manager this summer after a season of inconsistency, and it is a decision that already seems to be paying off. The Frenchman will be delighted with how his youthful squad have conducted themselves so far this season, but it is important that they do not get too complacent and that they continue winning games of football.
It is an incredibly young squad, with 17-year-old Chris Rigg, 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham, and 19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda starring in all four of their opening games. They do have some experience among their ranks, with the likes of Luke O’Nien, Alan Browne, and Patrick Roberts supporting the young squad.
The latter was targeted this summer ahead of a move away from the Stadium of Light, but luckily for the Black Cats, nothing came of it.
Luton Town were keen on signing Patrick Roberts this summer
The Hatters had enjoyed their one season in the Premier League, but it unfortunately ended in relegation, and they were back in the Championship once again.
Rob Edwards dealt with some big departures as Ross Barkley and Chiedozie Ogbene left for the Premier League, so it was important that he brought in reinforcements.
According to Sports Illustrated, Luton Town were interested in signing Patrick Roberts this summer in order to bolster their attacking options.
The winger had signed a new three-year contract last season, but that did not stop Luton from attempting to prise him away from the Stadium of Light.
It was then revealed late in the transfer window that Roberts would not be departing and that he would remain a Sunderland player for the foreseeable future.
This would have delighted the Black Cats as losing such a crucial player that late in the window could have been detrimental to the season ahead.
Roberts has been one of Sunderland’s most valuable players over the last couple of seasons, and he remains to be selected in the starting XI under Le Bris.
The winger is known as more than a goalscoring with his creativity and hard work a key part of his game. He played a big part in Sunderland’s 2022/23 campaign as they reached the Championship playoffs, with Roberts scoring five goals and assisting seven that season.
Last campaign, he suffered with injuries and was in and out of the squad, but now he looks as good as ever in this talented Sunderland squad. He has already assisted two goals in their first four games this season, setting up Dennis Cirkin and Romaine Mundle, so he is certainly proving his worth to Le Bris.
