Likely to make Stadium of Light exist in January transfer window as 21yr Old midfielder proned to injury remains impatient of Le Bris shun.
Sunderland has had a strong start to the season, gathering 25 points from their first 11 games and sitting atop the Championship table, three points ahead of Burnley and Leeds United.
The team’s high performance level makes it hard to single out any one player for praise under manager Regis Le Bris.
However, in the background of Sunderland’s main squad, some players have yet to see Championship action, with Abdoullah Ba notably absent.
Abdoullah Ba yet to feature for Sunderland in the Championship
Since Le Bris took charge in late June, Ba has not made a Championship appearance. The French midfielder missed part of pre-season due to injury, initially setting him back, though he’s now had time to impress the new manager.
Ba’s only appearance so far was in the Carabao Cup, where he played in Sunderland’s 2-0 loss to Preston North End, with him and most of the second-string squad failing to make an impact.
The 21-year-old has mainly been on the bench or excluded from recent matchday squads entirely.
Regis Le Bris not an admirer of Abdoullah Ba
It seems Le Bris isn’t a fan of Ba, as he has yet to feature. With Sunderland’s success in the Championship, Le Bris has had little reason to change his lineup. Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle have excelled on the wings, leaving no spot for Ba.
When Le Bris has rotated, he’s preferred to place Chris Rigg out wide rather than Ba, despite the latter being a natural winger.
Ba’s absence from the bench raises questions, particularly since he made 39 league appearances for Sunderland last season. Tommy Watson has overtaken Ba in the pecking order, regularly appearing on the bench and even playing as a substitute three times in the league.
A January move would offer Abdoullah Ba a solution
Given his lack of league appearances this season, a January transfer could be on the cards.
According to the Northern Echo, Ba and Adil Aouchiche were open to moves in the summer, though none materialized.
In a late September interview, Le Bris hinted Ba might still have a chance, stating, “It’s a question of the dynamic, the momentum of the game – so we will see. Adil and Abdoullah are with us until the next transfer window, so they have my trust as players of Sunderland and players who have qualities to play and perform in the game.”
Though it’s been over a month since those comments, Ba has yet to play in the league, suggesting he hasn’t impressed Le Bris enough, making a January exit likely.
At 21, Ba has potential but needs more playing time to develop and break into Sunderland’s current squad. Whether on loan or a permanent transfer, he will need to prove himself elsewhere.
Despite 39 league appearances last season, Ba has not played any Championship minutes this season. Although he was open to a summer transfer, no move materialized, and despite a potential return to action, he remains on the sidelines.
With Le Bris showing no indication of including Ba in the first team, a move from Sunderland may benefit both Ba and the club.