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Jermain Defoe Breaks silence with POWERFUL message to Sunderland Stars before Wembley showdown that every fan needs to hear
Defoe Praises “Special” Wembley Moment as Sunderland Advance Past Coventry
Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe was in attendance at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats secured a place in the Championship play-off final, defeating Coventry City in the semi-finals.
Defoe described Sunderland’s upcoming trip to Wembley as a “special” milestone for both the players and the fans. The team, managed by Régis Le Bris, will face Sheffield United in the final with a return to the Premier League at stake.
Le Bris’ youthful side earned their spot at the national stadium after overcoming Coventry over two legs, with several emerging talents — including Chris Rigg, Romaine Mundle, Wilson Isidor, and Eliezer Mayenda — set to make their Wembley debuts.
Defoe, who made a lasting impact during his time in Sunderland’s colors, particularly with his performances against rivals Newcastle, spoke about the significance of the occasion.
“What an experience for these young players,” he told the club’s media team. “To come through a tough semi-final and get the chance to go to Wembley — it’s something truly special. It’s been a long time coming.”
Sunderland are aiming to end their eight-year absence from the Premier League. Their last trip to Wembley was in 2022 when they earned promotion from League One with a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers.
Le Bris: “A Fantastic Season, but One More Step to Go”
Head coach Régis Le Bris reflected on the team’s journey this season, calling it a remarkable campaign regardless of the result in the final. However, he stressed that the squad remains fully committed to finishing the job.
Sheffield United, Sunderland’s final opponents, had a dominant regular season — collecting 92 points despite a two-point deduction — and breezed past Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in their own semi-final.
Following their hard-fought victory over Coventry, Sunderland’s players were given a day off on Wednesday to recover. Full preparations for the Wembley final will get underway when the squad reconvenes on Thursday.
“This season has already been fantastic,” said Le Bris. “That’s important to acknowledge — whether we win or lose at Wembley. What we’ve achieved together has been brilliant.
But now, our focus must turn to the final. We know it will be a tough match, and we’ll prepare thoroughly. That’s the next step for us.”
