Sunderland

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Earlier on Wednesday, we revealed numbers five to two in former defender Darren Williams' list of this century's most underrated Sunderland players. And now it's time to tell you his 'winner'.

In first place, Williams has gone for midfielder Luke O'Nien, who has made more than 300 appearances for the Black Cats since joining the club in 2018.

Speaking about the 30-year-old on a BBC Radio Newcastle special, Williams said: "When you can play in different positions, it can take quite a lot.

"O'Nien has been put in that situation quite a few times. We know he has got a character, but he wears his heart on his sleeve, digs in and would put his neck on the line for anybody.

"He is a fantastic character, Sunderland through and through - and long may that continue."

So to recap Williams' list:

5. Lee Cattermole

4. Marcus Stewart

3. Andy Reid

2. Chris Maguire

1. Luke O'Nien

What do you make of the selections? Did Williams miss any players out?

Get in touch with your views here

And listen to the full rundown and the reasons behind the selections on BBC Sounds here

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Throughout Wednesday we will be revealing who former Sunderland defender Darren Williams has selected in his list of the Black Cats' five most underrated players of the 21st Century.

In third place, Williams chose winger Andy Reid:

"He had great ability, but to his own detriment he was a bit up and down at times. He created some fantastic moments. And it wasn't just his goalscoring - he created a lot of goals for other people.

"Because his form was up and down at times, he was probably overlooked by a lot of people."

In second place, he picked striker Chris Maguire:

"He was a great character who worked hard for the side. He had ability, but sometimes it fluctuated. I don't think he got as much of the limelight as he should have [but] he did a fantastic job for the club."

Come back later to see who Williams has at the top of his list...

• Listen to BBC Radio Newcastle's top-five special on underrated players

• And access top-five shows on managers, centre-backs and hardmen here

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Former Sunderland defender Darren Williams has selected his top-five most underrated Black Cats players over the past 25 years.

As part of a BBC Radio Newcastle special, he chose midfielder Lee Cattermole in fifth place:

"Cattermole was a fiery type of lad. Maybe he spent a little bit of time getting sent off or bookings and missing games.

"He's at that level for a reason. They haven't just put him in to kick people - he's got quality and he's a good player."

In fourth place, Williams chose striker Marcus Stewart:

"A fantastic goalscorer and his work-rate was phenomenal. He was a great team player, a great team-mate and I think he probably didn't reach that pinnacle.

"He maybe got overshadowed by the likes of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, but he is probably one player around that time who you would have had in your squad."

Come back to this page throughout Wednesday to see the rest of Williams' picks.

• Listen to the top-five special on underrated players

• Access top-five shows on managers, centre-backs and hardmen here

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Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about Sunderland's pre-season match against South Shields: "It is good to win, but today was more about reconnecting with competitive games.

"[Working with the new signings] is a work in progress. We had to reinforce the squad because the next step is massive. Only one played today, but in the next weeks there will be progressively more on the pitch. We have to build the connection and physical condition."

Le Bris says Abdoullah Ba, Nazariy Rusyn and Ian Poveda are all available to leave the club.

A number of other players must prove themselves in the coming weeks.

When asked about the futures of players like Niall Huggins, Nectarios Triantis and Ahmed Abdullahi: "We will see for every player. I told them that the first two weeks are dedicated for the reconnection. After that, we will have to be clear about different pathways - if some of them need game time and it is not possible here then it is not necessary to stay here."

Listen to Le Bris speak with reporters

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Niall Huggins spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunderland's 4-0 pre-season victory against South Shields.

The defender has been ruled out since suffering a knee injury in December 2023.

He explained: "It's been great to be back there, it's been a long time. I'm feeling good and I just want to get back to how I was feeling two years ago.

"It is really underestimated how tough it is mentally. Last time, I had a good run of games and something happens out of nowhere. It has been a tough road back with so many ups and downs. I am just appreciative to be back on the pitch and play football again.

"We all believe we can do it [in the Premier League] and everyone is looking forward to it. We have a really strong team which we are improving in the off-season. We are going to do what we can to stay up and compete. We are all looking forward to the challenge."

Listen in full

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Sunderland started their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win over South Shields.

Wilson Isidor opened the scoring with just one minute on the clock, before Romaine Mundle and Milan Aleksic added to the scoresheet.

Ahmed Abdullahi sealed the victory over the National League North side with a fourth goal in the final minutes of play.

Sunderland face Sevilla next on Saturday, 19 July at Estadio Algarve.

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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I do not think it is a major surprise Simon Adingra has moved on this summer because of the pecking order at Brighton.

Last season he drifted down the list slightly and you could see his frustration with that.

Some of his body language at times was not great but he did still contribute off the bench and still had an eye for goal.

Adingra just felt like he should be starting games and that was not happening.

He is a good all-rounder and he is pretty pacy. He carries the ball and moves across the ground well.

He has played on the left and Brighton fans got used to seeing him cut in. One criticism early on was that his final ball was a bit erratic and frustrating, but that has certainly improved in the past 18 months, along with his decision-making.

He likes to cut inside from the left and, with his eye for goal, he loves a curling ball into the far right corner. So he is a goal threat.

I think Adingra will be really pleased to go to Sunderland because he is staying in the Premier League.

I expect him to hit the ground running.

Sunderland are in talks with English winger Romaine Mundle about signing a new contract, as the 22-year-old has attracted interested from PSV Eindhoven. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Simon Adingra says it was an easy decision to join Sunderland and he is looking forward to the "big challenge ahead" at the Stadium of Light.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast winger made 33 appearances for Brighton last season, including 29 in the Premier League.

"It's a pleasure to be here, and I cannot wait to get started," said Adingra, who has arrived for an initial £21m on a five-year contract.

"The club and the project are really exciting. I spoke with everyone and their interest in me made the decision easy. I wanted to be part of Sunderland's future.

"Playing in the Premier League has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, so to continue doing that is incredible.

"It's a big challenge ahead. We'll be facing top players and strong opponents - but I'm ready for it."

Adingra is Sunderland's sixth signing of the summer as they make the step up to the top flight.

Listen to BBC Radio Sussex's Brighton commentator Johnny Cantor give the lowdown on what to expect from Adingra

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Former Sunderland winger Kieron Brady joins BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde to share his picks and debate some of the top names to have taken the managerial hot seat.

From club legends to unforgettable moments, it is a conversation every fan will have an opinion on as a top five list is discussed.

Listen on BBC Sounds to find out who has made the cut

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Members of BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport fans' forum have been discussing a potential romantic return to Sunderland for Jordan Henderson.

Henderson played for the Black Cats between 2008 and 2011 before moving to Liverpool, where he captained the side to Premier League and Champions League glory.

The 35-year-old, who has left Ajax after the Dutch club agreed to end his contract early, would be Sunderland's first summer signing with top-flight experience in England.

The Sunderland fan on the programme said he did not want his team to target experienced, older players with a lot of Premier League games under their belts, but when asked if he would make an exception to sign Henderson, he replied: "Yes, I would.

"I'm not a massive fan of Jordan Henderson. I cannot believe he's still in the England squad. However, he's still getting picked in that England squad and I'm sure he can make a contribution to Sunderland if he came."

The Newcastle fan featured added: "For Jordan, he did say he wanted to finish his career in Sunderland.

"If Sunderland offer him a decent deal and his heart is in it then it cam be a win-win for all involved. If he's happy to come home it can be like Dan Burn at Newcastle. It would be nice to see him back."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

So, what do you think? Would Henderson be a shrewd signing with so much Premier League experience? Or is he not worth pursuing ahead of younger targets?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

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In completing a deal for Club Brugge winger Chemsdine Talbi, Sunderland have invested in potential and pace.

Talbi, who turned 20 in May, only made his full senior debut in October last year but it was the first of 22 starts in all competitions. Seven of those came in the Champions League, scoring twice in an eye-catching win away to Atalanta in a knockout phase play-off.

Only five players registered a quicker top speed than Talbi in Europe's premier club competition last season.

"His speed is phenomenal – it's his best asset," says old team-mate Simon Mignolet, the former Sunderland and Liverpool goalkeeper.

Talbi finished with seven goals and five assists in 2024-25 but his underlying numbers perhaps better highlight his attacking threat.

He ranked highest in the Belgian top flight with 0.22 assist-ending carries per 90 minutes. In layman's terms, it refers to the assists he provided directly after carrying the ball five metres or more. Talbi provided an identical figure for goal-ending carries per 90 minutes, the second most in the division.

He also ranked in the top 10 for most chances created from open play per 90 minutes (1.93) and fourth for most crosses (5.1).

All of which points to a direct, fleet-footed player, who comes alive in the final third.

The dual national Belgian-Moroccan plays most often on the right wing but his technical ability means he has been used in a variety of attacking positions for Club Brugge at both youth and senior level.

Such versatility will likely prove attractive to head coach Regis le Bris.

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Club Brugge fan Byron Yang says he believes new Sunderland signing Chemsdine Talbi is "not fully ready" for the Premier League but could still be an "important player" for the Black Cats if they need to play on the counter-attack.

"He's a very fast winger, he prefers playing near the sidelines," Byron told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Because of his pace, he is very dangerous on counters. He's got great crossing skills but he isn't the flashiest dribbler.

"He usually uses his pace to get past defenders. In a league like the Premier League I think this will be a bit too predictable, so I'm expecting him to improve in the upcoming season.

"I do not think he is ready for the Premier League yet, but he does have the potential for it. I think the main issue for him for now is his finishing.

"He has missed some big chances in Belgium that will be more costly in the Premier League. If he can improve on this I think he will be good enough."

When asked if Talbi's move to the Black Cats is the right step at this stage of his career, Byron added: "It's risky because, again, he is not fully ready yet but I do think he fits the counter-attacking style Sunderland may be playing next season.

"That is why he could still be an important player for them, even without goals and assists."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Chemsdine Talbi described Sunderland as "a good project" with "a really exciting team" after becoming their latest signing.

The 20-year-old winger has joined from Belgian side Club Brugge on a five-year contract for 21m euros (£18m), plus 3m euros (£2.5m) in add-ons. He becomes the Black Cats' fourth addition of the summer.

Talbi, who was born in Belgium but has pledged his international future to Morocco, comes with the experience of having played in the Champions League, but reiterated that his focus is on the challenge ahead.

"It's the biggest and best league in the world, so I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League," he told club media.

"It was a good project, a good team, a really exciting team with a lot of young players - so it motivated me to come here.

"I'm really excited to play for this club, and I really appreciate being here.

"I played in the Champions League – one of the biggest leagues in the world – so I will try to do my best to show how players need to adapt to a difficult or really stressful game."

Talbi scored seven goals and provided five assists across 44 appearances for Club Brugge in 2024-25.

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Jeremy Beren from That Atleti Podcast gives BBC Radio Newcastle the lowdown on new Sunderland left-back Reinildo, whose contract at Atletico Madrid expired last month:

"There's a before and after. Before the knee injury in 2023 and after. It remains to be seen which one Sunderland are going to get.

"Before the injury, Reinildo was one of Atletico's best players. He was among their most important and impactful. Super strong, quick, athletic, terrific defensive instincts. He really found a home as a wide centre-back in Diego Simeone's 3-5-2.

"After the knee injury, we saw him struggle to regain his place. He went 10 months without playing. He came back and he lost some of that speed that he was heavily reliant on. He struggled to hold down a place this past season.

"He will bring leadership, he's a great character with wonderful charisma and personality. I think he'll be a hit for Sunderland.

"At Atleti he was signed to play left-back in a 4-4-2 but that wasn't really the formation they were using at the time, so Simeone stuck him on the left of a central defence trio. That was the best of Reinildo, making all kinds of blocks and clearances. With his speed, he could keep up with anybody.

"He's more of a stay at home left-back type. He didn't have that many goal contributions at Atletico. I wouldn't expect a strong offensive contribution from him. I would say most of his value is going to come out of possession."

Listen to more on Reinildo

Sunderland are nearing a deal to sign 20-year-old Morocco forward Chemsdine Talbi from Belgian side Club Brugge. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Nectarios Triantis aims to impress in pre-season for the Black Cats amid interest from Hibernian in the midfielder, who had a loan spell at East Road last season. (Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer

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New signing Reinildo Mandava says he "can't wait to play for a historic club like Sunderland" after his move from Atletico Madrid was confirmed.

The 31-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light following the expiry of his contract at the end of Atletico's recent Club World Cup campaign.

"It is a dream come true because it has always been my ambition to play in the Premier League – and I can't wait to play for an historic club like Sunderland," the left-back said on his arrival.

"I'm excited to meet the team, to fight, and to give everything for the club. I want to help, to give power to my team-mates, and transmit my experience in the dressing room. Above all else, I want to make people happy and I will give everything to make that happen."

Reinildo made 99 appearances for Diego Simeone's side after joining from Lille in 2022 and has earned 35 caps for the Mozambique national team.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: "We've had to be patient to finalise this transfer due to his involvement in the Club World Cup, but we're delighted to welcome Reinildo to Wearside.

"We feel he's an ideal profile for our full-back position and his experience is a perfect fit for our squad composition. He's shown a real desire to join our club throughout our discussions, and to be the first Mozambican to play in the Premier League.

"He's highly motivated by this challenge and he has a personality I'm sure our supporters will connect with, so we are looking forward to welcoming him to Sunderland later this month."

Sunderland are among the clubs showing interest in Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, but face competition from Premier League rivals Leeds United and Wolves - as well as European heavyweights Roma, Juventus and AC Milan - for the 24-year-old Moroccan. (Footmercato - in French), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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BBC Radio Newcastle spoke to football consultant and podcaster Scott Coyne about what fans can expect from Sunderland's latest addition, 20-year-old Noah Sadiki.

"A really exciting young player, really fit," Coyne said. "You might look at Noah's stats and think: 'I'm not quite sure I see anything here', but he's a player who very much passes the eye test rather than necessarily the stats test.

"His overall contribution is important – his pace, and his physicality - and he's a really mature player for his age as well. I think he's going to add a lot to the squad. He's a really exciting player."

Sadiki was part of the Union Saint-Gilloise side that won the Belgian league last season and has already racked up more than 100 senior appearances, despite his tender age.

"He's a very composed young player," Coyne added. "He tends to make good choices with his passing and that tells us he's ahead of his development for his age. Stepping up to the Premier League now is just going to push that development to another stage.

"He's very versatile player and can play as an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder and on the right wing as well so there's a number of options.

"One thing he does well is switch very quickly between defensive aspects and offensive roles. He's stoic at breaking up the play and his ball recovery [is good] as well. All of that is going to suit the intense nature of the Premier League."

Listen to the full chat here