Since signing for Sunderland in the mad summer window of 2025, Mukiele has been a revelation. He featured in 32 of Sunderland’s Premier League games this season, some at right-back and some at centre-half. But where is his best position?
He first came into the side against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup after signing late and needing to get up to speed, but then played his first five Premier League games at centre-back, including clean sheets at Selhurst Park and the City Ground.
He then moved to
right-back in our 2-0 win at home to Wolves, in which many will remember he notched his first goal that day from… the left wing.
He ended the season due to the suspension to Dan Ballard, at centre-half in games against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea, in which Sunderland picked up seven points.
So basically, Nordi is competent in many defensive positions – but what is his best?
The easy answer is that Sunderland will have more fixtures next season due to competing in the Europa League, and Mukiele will probably play both right-back and centre-half across the season.
However, at right-back Nordi is a real threat. Many will remember his glorious assists against West Ham and Crystal Palace, and his performance against Newcastle at the SoL in which he stopped Anthony Gordon from getting into the game at all, making him look like a child.
There have also been some outstanding Mukiele performances at centre-half this season. New Year’s Day against Manchester City, in which he managed to keep Erling Haaland quiet and kept a clean sheet. The final day of the season against João Pedro, in which once again he came out on top.
I think it’s worth noting that in the home game against Newcastle, I think Le Bris picked his preferred back four. Before this game we were floating around different systems and personnel, but the Newcastle game saw near enough everybody fit, and Régis Le Bris played Mukiele at right-back and he delivered the assist for Nick Woltemade.
In my opinion, Nordi is fantastic in whatever position he plays due to his unreal physical and technical quality. His position next season hinges on a couple of things.
If Lutsharel Geertruida ends up a Sunderland player next season, he would be in my “preferred best” back four, which means that Nordi would wind up playing centre-half – replacing who is another complex argument in itself.
The fitness of both Ballard and Alderete next season is also key. We know that throughout his time at Sunderland, Ballard can rarely play every game of a season, and Alderete has also missed games this season. Trai Hume has featured in every Premier League game this season; his availability is rarely questioned, which may force Mukiele to play centre-half when Hume starts.
Bottom line is, I am no further forward in actually knowing Mukiele’s “best” position. However, I do believe that for reasons outlined earlier, Le Bris prefers his attributes at right-back when everyone is available.
Where do you prefer Mukiele to play?
