Returning for eight years! Black Cat Awakening丨Three cores + French tactics! The new season of dark horses or Sunderland?

Sunderland will return to the Premier League in the 2025/26 season. This "Black Cat" who has been silent for many years has returned to the top stage after eight years, arousing unlimited expectations from fans. Football reporters Ben Bloom and Adrian Clark have a comprehensive analysis of this historic club - from a glorious history, key players to the tactical style of head coach Regis Le Bris, revealing the full picture of the "Black Cats Legion" in the new season.

History traces the origins

Sunderland was one of the most dominant clubs in the early days of the English Football League. It won the league championship three times in four years in the 1890s and is known as the "Team of all Talents".

For the next few decades, Sunderland has been a strong contender in the top three, always in the top three. It was not until 1958 - 68 years after they joined the Football League, that they were relegated for the first time. The recession began with the club falling into a wage scandal.

Since then, Sunderland has been hovering between the first and second divisions for a long time. In 1973, they beat Leeds United in the FA Cup final and the team was in the second-tier league. Sunderland is one of only two non-top league teams have won the FA Cup since.

Modern Chapter

In March 1995, Peter Reed became the head coach, and Sunderland was fighting hard for relegation at the time. Reed successfully relegated and led the team back to the Premier League the following year. Although he only lasted for one season for the first time in the top league, Reed led the team to finish seventh in the Premier League twice at the turn of the century with the newly established Stadium of Light.

From 1999 to 2017, Sunderland became a "semi-resident" team in the Premier League and did not participate in the Premier League for only three seasons. However, most seasons have been struggling to relegation. In the 2016/17 season, they were eventually relegated and fell into the League One one after another, and even set the lowest ranking in the team history - the eighth place in the League One in the 2019/20 season.

However, the situation is turning around, and the upgrade this season announced that the "Black Cat" will return after eight years of silence.

2024/25 season upgrade path

A originally stress-free season did not seem thrilling until the playoffs.

Sunderland started with a strong start, winning 9 games in the first 12 games, ranking first. However, he failed to win for six consecutive rounds and fell to fourth place. After entering April, they almost missed the top 3, and there was no risk of relegation. They ended the regular season steadily, and even lost all the last five games.

But the plot of the play-off is comparable to that of the movie. In the second leg of the semi-finals, Dan Ballard defeated Coventry in the last stage of overtime and led the team to the finals. In the final, they performed a miracle again. Tommy Watson defeated Sheffield United in the 5th minute of injury time, helping Sunderland succeed in the Super League.

Strangely, none of the starting lineup led by Regis Le Bris has Premier League experience, and captain Luke Onion is the only player over 25 years old.

Archive

Number of Premier League seasons: 16

Highest Premier League ranking: Seventh (1999/2000, 2000/01)

Main honors:

Top league champion (1891/92, 1892/93, 1894/95, 1901/02, 1912/13, 1935/36)

FA Cup (1936/37, 1972/73)

Secondary league champion (1975/76, 1995/96, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2006/07)

British League One champion (1987/88)

The most Premier League appearances: John O'Shea (189 games)

The most Premier League goals: Kevin Phillips (61 goals)

Three key players

Ellize Mayanda, who is only 20 years old, is a potential stock that has attracted much attention in the Premier League.

He is a versatile player, who can play in the center and play in the No. 10 position or winger. In the 2024/25 season, he only played center 59.43% of the time, but the offensive methods he showed were quite comprehensive.

He has the ability to score with both his left and right feet and header, and has won 10 goals in the season, with a conversion rate of 21.3%. He is fast and flexible in movement, and is one of the hottest figures in the 2025/26 season.

Mayanda's 24/25 season goal distribution

Dan Ballard

Although he only played 15 Championship games due to injury, Ballard's influence in the three playoffs was self-evident.

He is the team's defense pillar, with headers per game and clearances of 6.07 times, the highest in the Championship. Not only did he defend a steady defense, he also scored a final goal in the semi-finals, and was a key figure on both offense and defense.

Although he is not fast, he is strong and tough and fierce in fighting. Facing the Premier League forward, his defensive style is absolutely "hard core".

Balard's defensive data for the 24/25 season

Trey Hume

Northern Ireland international Hume is the engine on Sunderland's right.

He scored 3 goals and 6 assists last season, and is the player with the most opportunities in the team (55 times). He is equally good on the defensive end, with 25 steals higher than his teammates.

Although he will be under greater defensive pressure after coming to the Premier League, he will still stick to his insertion style to provide the team with width and creativity.

Opportunities created by Trey Humei in the 24/25 season

Legend: Red circle = assist, white circle = create opportunities

Head coach: Regis Le Brees

Frenchman Le Brees took office in a low-key manner, but quickly brought about huge changes.

He adopted the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations in the 2024/25 season, and flexibly adjusted his tactics according to his opponents. The team can not only control the ball, but also create a wing advantage, and can also retreat and fight a defensive counterattack if necessary.

Especially at the end of the season, Sunderland became the most threatening counterattack team in the Championship, scoring 9 goals with 50 quick counterattack shots. This strategy is expected to continue in the Premier League.

Conclusion:

Sunderland, known for his youth, fearlessness and flexibility in tactics, is returning to the Premier League with a new look. Despite facing higher intensity challenges in the Premier League, the "Black Cat" is full of fighting spirit and youthful vitality. Under Le Brees's training, this team is worth looking forward to.