Although it has recently changed, Sunderland’s strategy for success under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has centered on getting youthful players at a reasonable cost.
According to the Northern Echo, the Black Cats finalized the agreement to sign Romaine Mundle at the Stadium of Light on deadline day in 2024 for an initial payment of £1 million, with add-ons costing an additional £2 million.
Mundle had to leave Tottenham Hotspur because, like many others who have been through the club’s doors, he was not given any opportunities while he was there.
The Black Cats obviously spotted something in the winger, and following a stellar season on Wearside, his worth has undoubtedly increased in just one season.
Mundle was a ready-made substitute for Jack Clarke.
Sunderland took a calculated risk when they recruited Mundle from Standard Liege, hoping the winger would live up to the potential he had during his Spurs days.
Dennis Cirkin and Jack Clarke, who both failed to make an impression in North London before relocating to Wearside for cheaper deals, found success with this method.
Mundle’s position in the team was initially obvious as he played second fiddle to Clarke throughout the second half of the 2023–24 season before enjoying a stretch in the squad while he was out.
Despite only making five starts, the winger had 11 appearances overall and scored one goal.
Mundle showed signs of what he might do, despite being restricted to opportunities, with his shrewd play and cunning grabbing attention.
With 19 dribbling attempts, Mundle’s attacking statistics were encouraging, and Black Cats supporters could see his potential. He was among the top 92 percentile of Championship players with an average of 3.53 per game.
A little more than a year later, Mundle has arrived, and the agreement to import the 21-year-old from Belgium must have been a brilliant move.
Given that Clarke had led the team the previous season, there were worries that the Wearsiders would lose their attacking threat when he left in the summer.
But once Clarke left for Ipswich Town, Mundle scored in the next three games, putting Wearside’s concerns to rest with some forceful performances.
Importantly, the winger scored the game-winning goal against Burnley, a team vying for promotion, with a deadly drilled strike that James Trafford was unable to handle.
Mundle solidified his place in Regis Le Bris’ squad by early November, recording his best senior career total of four goals and two assists.
Sadly, Mundle sustained a serious hamstring injury in November and hasn’t played since, missing 15 league games in all.
His attacking numbers are excellent, even with his injuries. Mundle, in instance, averages 2.28 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 99 percentile for successful dribbles.
The winger has established himself as one of Le Bris’ best left-wing alternatives, but he will face tough fight to return to the starting eleven.
Mundle is only 21 years old, but he already has a lot of promise, and if he continues to grow as much as he has at the Stadium of Light, his value will be at least eight figures.
For more:https://sportchannel.co.uk/2025/02/15/a-roadmap-for-fu…k-clarkes-vacuum/
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