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Sunderland fans are eager for their team to return to form as Championship football resumes this weekend, with Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats currently sitting at the top of the league.
However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing at the Stadium of Light, as Le Bris’ squad has shown vulnerabilities, suffering back-to-back away defeats that raise concerns ahead of their trip to Hull City this Saturday.
The popular French manager will be looking for his players to elevate their performance to avoid a third consecutive loss on the road, especially urging Jobe Bellingham to step up his game.
### Bellingham’s Season So Far
The talented teenager has had a quieter start this season after impressing last year with seven goals. So far, he has managed just one goal and one assist in seven league appearances, but his overall performances have shown promise, despite a dip in statistics.
His match against Leeds United was particularly noteworthy, as he mislaid only two of his 48 passes while testing the opposition goalkeeper with three shots. Just prior, Bellingham scored his first goal of the season with a fantastic strike against Derby County, and he is eager to continue contributing when Sunderland faces Hull this weekend.
As Bellingham aims to surpass his previous season’s output and help Sunderland make a long-awaited return to the Premier League, one former Sunderland player is currently outshining him in terms of performance, despite being in the twilight of his career.
### The Player Outperforming Bellingham
Surprisingly, 35-year-old former Sunderland winger James McClean is outdoing Bellingham, now playing for Wrexham in the league below.
McClean was released by Sunderland 11 years ago when the club was a Premier League competitor, having been sold to Wigan Athletic for £1 million by Paolo Di Canio. He became successful at Wigan and gained recognition in the Championship and Premier League with various clubs.
Currently, McClean seems to have found renewed vigor with Wrexham, contributing two goals and an assist in a recent 4-1 victory over Northampton Town, surpassing Bellingham’s contributions in just one League One match.
Signing McClean was a smart move for Wrexham, which also has former Sunderland player Steven Fletcher on its roster. If McClean maintains his excellent form, he could help Wrexham climb to the same division as Sunderland, potentially setting up a face-off between the two teams if Sunderland secures promotion.
While Wrexham demonstrates that age is just a number, Sunderland is focused on a young, ambitious core as they aim to ascend back to the Premier League with their dynamic squad.
