Prior to the start of the 2026/2027 campaign and with several of Sunderland’s leading lights having enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign to sit alongside their historic achievements of 2025/2026, I highlighted three players whom I felt could be key figures for us in 2026/2027, with their talents potentially being showcased on multiple fronts during a landmark campaign.
The players in question are Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg. Three footballers of exceptional promise and with the ability
to become key figures within the ongoing rebirth and establishment of Sunderland as a competitive top flight side.
However, even though the season is young and nothing is set in stone, would a slight rethink be appropriate?
It’s not a reflection of the abilities of these players as much as it is the changing of circumstances that may dictate a reconsideration — after all, what’s football’s summer lull without some confident calls about what might happen and who might make a strong case when the action resumes?
In a game-changing introduction, Senegal midfielder and joint-club record signing Diarra entered the fray against Fulham, looking lively and setting up the deciding goal for Wilson Isidor only to exit shortly thereafter — an injury the result of which we now know will be a six-to-eight week layoff.
Not ideal for Diarra nor the team, not least because the midfielder had endured a stop-start campaign during his maiden season on Wearside and would’ve doubtless been eager to stamp his mark this time around.
Elsewhere, I stand by my belief that Rigg will emerge as an elite and sought-after talent this season, yet Talbi’s future had been thrown into doubt following recent revelations that Saudi and Turkish clubs harboured an interest in signing him, with Régis Le Bris hinting at pieces moving behind the scenes and plenty of whispers about what was coming next.
Suffice it to say, the possibility of Talbi’s Sunderland career heading for an unsatisfactory conclusion had the potential to deliver a nasty, post-transfer window sting.
As you would expect, Le Bris was characteristically diplomatic when asked about it last week and everyone had their say in the aftermath before another twist in the tale delivered hope on Tuesday, as Florent Ghisolfi confirmed that the Moroccan would be staying at the club. Excellent news, in my view.
Financially, the sale of Talbi to a cash-rich Middle East-based club would’ve made sense, giving Sunderland some welcome leeway, but football-wise? I’m not so sure.
If his head had been by turned by the appeal of playing overseas, it would’ve been both semi-understandable and frustrating, for Talbi is an excellent player.
He’s probably one of our most developed wingers and I’d love to see him feature regularly — not least because his displays for Morocco at the World Cup offered further proof of his talent and came on the back of a maiden Premier League season during which he looked more than capable of mixing it with the league’s best.
Paradoxically, and despite the possibility of losing a very talented young footballer after just one season here, I wasn’t shocked when rumours of an exit began to swirl. Indeed, given how things have played out recently, it merely felt like the latest chapter in a situation that’s unfolded over a number of months.
Talbi barely featured down the home straight last season, despite delivering several priceless moments during the campaign, including the winner at Stamford Bridge and an equaliser St James’ Park, as well as a stunning goal during the 3-0 home victory over Burnley.
Whenever I saw him play, I always liked his doggedness and his energy, and he seemed to fit the mould in terms of the sheer volume of work rate he brought to the team.
It’s admittedly becoming a bit tiresome to have to examine our options on the wings on such a regular basis, yet with Romaine Mundle apparently set for another spell on the sidelines — another desperate setback for a likeable player that can’t seem to catch a break — it seems as though there could be an opportunity for Talbi to potentially reignite his Sunderland career.
If the former Tottenham winger is ruled out for another extended period and Talbi remains fully in tune with his teammates and not too far removed from Le Bris’ thoughts, surely we would be smart to keep him in the fold, try to get him back up to speed and capable of contributing in a meaningful way? That’s the very least he deserves, in my opinion.
As a fan, there’s always an element of dented pride if and when a player you really believe in is pushed to the fringes or worryingly close to the exit.
We’ve all been there: you back them, you attempt to support them when they go through fallow periods and dips in form…and then they’re gone. Finito. Exit stage left. See you somewhere down the road.
I really hope that isn’t the case here and that Talbi’s burgeoning career in English football isn’t in danger of being cut short before it’s really begun. It would be a real shame were that to happen but for now, he’s red and white and whatever the future holds is a discussion for another day.
Keep going, Chems. Show us what you’ve got, and make sure you stay in the heeeeeeeads of opponents when the chances come your way!
