“It’s hard for me to say goodbye” Player who betrayed the Black Cats to Join EPL side now bemourn poor performance and now shadow of himself Amid drops a BOMBSHELL towards possible return.
Sunderland have enjoyed a stellar start to their 2024-25 season under Regis Le Bris, accumulating 30 points from their first 14 matches.
With nine victories and only two losses, they currently lead the table, holding a two-point advantage over nearest rivals Sheffield United.
After struggling to leave a mark in the Championship last season, Sunderland’s rapid improvement has surprised many, especially following the exit of their 2023-24 Player of the Year, Jack Clarke.
Now at Ipswich Town, Clarke has found it challenging to make an impression in the Premier League. So far, he has started only three matches and recorded a single assist, contrasting sharply with his success in the Championship, where he scored 15 goals and provided four assists in 40 games.
Though there’s still time for Clarke to adapt, Ipswich will be eager for results, having invested £15 million in the 23-year-old.
Sunderland thriving without Clarke
Despite initial worries about how the team would cope in Clarke’s absence, Sunderland have excelled in attack, scoring 23 goals this season.
Our Sunderland analyst, Jay Woodhead, weighed in on whether the team truly misses Clarke. Despite his admiration for the winger, he believes they are now in a stronger position: “I don’t think we miss Jack Clarke.”
“Clarke is a fantastic player, and he performed well for us. Mundle, who was on the bench with limited opportunities, has truly stepped up now. When Clarke was in the squad, it was hard for others to get a chance.”
“When Clarke left, there was a lot of doubt, but Mundle returned and has been exceptional. In my view, he’s brought more to the team than Clarke did initially.”
Mundle has filled Clarke’s role
According to Woodhead, Mundle has embraced the left-wing role, making a big impact this season.
Although his four goals may not sound prolific, three of them have been decisive in securing wins for Le Bris’ team. His ball-carrying ability and skill in winning free-kicks in advanced positions have become defining qualities for the 21-year-old.
While youth brings some inconsistencies, Mundle’s progress hints that he could soon match Clarke’s level.
Although fans might have preferred to keep both Clarke and Mundle, Sunderland’s current performance suggests they’re not suffering from Clarke’s departure.
However, by season’s end, we’ll see if Clarke’s exit has had any real impact on this Sunderland side.