- Founded 1879
- Stadium Stadium of Light
- Manager Regis Le Bris
- Competition Premier League 2026-27
- Goals 6
- Goals Conceded 10
- Yellow Cards 10
- Total Red Cards 1
Sunderland Squawka Score Ratings 2026/27
Last season’s seventh-placed finish has not carried over. Sunderland lost 2-1 at Ipswich, beat Fulham 1-0, drew 1-1 at Brentford, lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal and then went down 5-3 at Manchester City. Four points and 14th going into the international break, with 10 conceded in five, is a reminder of how hard the second season back can be. Below, we take a look at Sunderland’s most-used XI so far and how each player has performed, based on the Squawka Score rating system.
The Squawka Score is a metric developed to assess a player’s performance relative to other players in the same position. It is shown as a percentage, and it is worth knowing that 66% is average rather than 50% – a 70% is a good afternoon and 85% or above marks out one of the best players on the pitch. Each score is calculated from a range of per-90-minute statistics, taking in the obvious numbers such as goals and assists alongside some more obscure ones that are far more position-specific. A player’s season figure is simply the average of his match ratings.
GK: Robin Roefs – 58% – The lowest rating in the side. Ten goals conceded from only six saves is an unforgiving ratio, and it means Sunderland are conceding from a high proportion of the shots they face. One clean sheet, against Fulham, in five full games.
RB: Nordi Mukiele – 65% – Sunderland’s most complete defender. Twenty-five clearances, 26 duels won, nine tackles won, six interceptions and four blocked shots from four starts, plus 0.97 xG of his own from set pieces. Two big chances missed is the one frustration.
RCB: Kevin Danso – 56% – A difficult start. Eight duels won to 10 lost in three starts, an error leading to a goal and eight goals conceded on his watch. Fifteen clearances and 16 passes into the penalty area are the only numbers working in his favour.
LCB: Dan Ballard – 59% – A striking case of volume without reward. Forty-five duels won and 26 aerials, both the most of any defender in the league, plus 31 clearances from every available minute. Ten fouls, two yellow cards and 10 goals conceded are what drag the rating down to where it is.
LB: Reinildo – 60% – Twenty-four duels won, eight interceptions and 24 progressive passes from four starts, so the basics are there. A red card and eight fouls are what have cost him, and Sunderland have missed him when suspended.
RCM: Granit Xhaka – 76% – The captain has been outstanding and is comfortably Sunderland’s best player. Thirteen chances created with five of them clear-cut, 1.27 xA, 42 passes into the penalty area, 73 into the final third and 33 progressive passes, plus 12 corners and 28 duels won. Every minute played.
LCM: Noah Sadiki – 62% – Seven shots and 0.71 xG from midfield, with 48 passes into the final third and 20 duels won to 12 lost. Two big chances missed and an error leading to a shot are the marks against a tidy but unremarkable start.
RW: Thomas Meunier – 63% – An assist and seven shots with four on target, plus 12 clearances and 10 possessions regained in his own third. Eight duels won to 15 lost is the weak spot, and at 34 he is being asked to cover a lot of ground.
AM: Enzo Le Fée – 71% – A goal from the spot, an assist and eight chances created with four clear-cut, alongside 1.9 xG, 1.44 xA and 21 passes into the penalty area. He has conceded one foul all season. Two big chances missed is the only thing separating him from Xhaka.
LW: Nilson Angulo – 66% – A goal and an assist in 318 minutes, with seven completed take-ons and 0.82 xA. Two big chances missed and 25 duels lost are the cost, but the output per minute has been respectable from the left.
ST: Brian Brobbey – 63% – Three goals, Sunderland’s leading scorer, from 11 shots and 2.42 xG, with 27 touches in the opposition box and 13 aerial duels won. Eight fouls and 22 duels lost reflect how physically he has had to play the lone striker role.
Sunderland set-piece specialists:
- Penalties: Enzo Le Fée
- Free-kicks: Granit Xhaka, Wilson Isidor, Nilson Angulo
- Corners: Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée
Xhaka has taken 12 of Sunderland’s corners to Le Fée’s seven, with Trai Hume taking one. The three direct free-kicks have been shared between Xhaka, Wilson Isidor and Angulo. Le Fée has converted the only penalty, confirming him as the taker.
Sunderland FAQs
How have Sunderland started the 2026/27 season?
Poorly. Sunderland are 14th on four points from five games, with one win, one draw and three defeats, and have conceded 10 goals. Three of those came in a 5-3 defeat at Manchester City.
Who is Sunderland’s best player this season?
Granit Xhaka on 76%, with 13 chances created and more passes into the penalty area than anyone else at the club. Enzo Le Fée is next on 71%.
Where did Sunderland finish in the 2025/26 Premier League season?
Sunderland had a superb first campaign back in the Premier League, finishing seventh and qualifying for this season’s Europa League.
Who is the Sunderland manager?
Sunderland are managed by Régis Le Bris, who has done an incredible job since his appointment in 2024.
Who is the current Sunderland captain?
Granit Xhaka was named the Sunderland captain in August 2025 following his switch from Bayer Leverkusen.
Will Sunderland play European football in 2026/27?
Yes, as mentioned, Sunderland are in the 2026/27 Europa League.