Sunderland AFC have enjoyed an incredible start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign, and are currently top of the table after nine matches.
The Black Cats have lost just two games so far, picking up 19 points on their way to the summit of the second tier despite having a relatively young and inexperienced squad.
Regis Le Bris has worked wonders at the Stadium of Light in his short-time with the club, and will be hoping to come back from the international break in better stead than they entered it after suffering a couple of hiccups in September.
Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that they can recover from their win of just two wins in five, especially with loanee Chris Mepham making his way into the team in recent weeks after signing from AFC Bournemouth in the summer.
The 26-year-old has played every minute of Sunderland’s last four Championship games, helping the team to keep two clean sheets in their two victories in that run. His early performances will lead to questions over whether the defender stays in the north-east permanently once the season comes to an end.
Sunderland should push for a permanent deal for Mepham
After making just 10 appearances in the Premier League for his parent club, Bournemouth, in 2023/24, it did not come as a surprise to see Mepham loaned out for the current campaign, but he has not shown any signs of rustiness in his first four matches.
While his involvement in the starting XI on the south coast has been limited in recent years, he does have a host of experience in both the Premier League and Championship, racking up over 150 appearances in both divisions since making his debut for Brentford in 2017.
It is this part of his game that makes him such a vital part of Le Bris’ team already, and Football League World has asked their Sunderland Fan Pundit, Jack Austwicke, if he wants to see the defender signed on a permanent basis.
“Based off so far, 100%,” Jack started. “He’s only 26 years old, but that is good enough experience for us, and he looks like a quality player.
“He looks a lot more experienced than he is, but I suppose that comes with playing so many games at the top level, and I have enjoyed watching him.”
He continued: “I think whoever’s with him, either O’Nien or Ballard, he looks good next to both of them, and I’d definitely be keen to see us sign him.
