Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has given a lifeline to Adil Aouchiche, Jewison Bennette, and Nazariy Rusyn, suggesting they could still carve out futures at the club if they demonstrate the right mindset during training over the next three months.
Despite being earmarked for potential transfers earlier in the summer, all three remain at the Stadium of Light following the closure of the transfer window. Le Bris was open to the idea of moving the trio on during the summer, as Sunderland explored options for their departures. However, as the window shut, all three found themselves still part of the Wearside squad, although none of them seem central to Le Bris’ plans thus far this season.
Both Bennette and Rusyn featured in Sunderland’s Under-21 team in their recent 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup. Bennette also played a part in the squad’s earlier 3-1 victory over Portsmouth, where Rusyn came on as an 87th-minute substitute. Aouchiche, however, did not travel to Fratton Park for that match.
Le Bris assured the players they haven’t been written off. “I’ve had a short conversation with them, and I’ll have more,” Le Bris explained. “For all the players in the squad, they need to be clear about the project. Where they are now, and what are the expectations for them and the team.”
The coach acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their futures due to the open transfer window. “When it [the future] is still not clear, it is very difficult for the players and the coaches to understand their role. We’ll have this conversation. They are with us, part of the team, and they have the ability to play with us if they deserve it.”
The Players
Aouchiche began his professional career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, featuring mainly in cup competitions before moving to AS Saint-Étienne in 2020, where he played regularly in Ligue 1. He made the switch to Sunderland in 2023, joining the Black Cats with hopes of becoming a key creative figure. However, he has yet to secure a consistent starting place under Le Bris.
Bennette joined Sunderland in 2022 from Costa Rican side Herediano, where he made his professional debut at the age of 17. A pacy winger, Bennette was part of Costa Rica’s squad for the 2022 World Cup. Despite flashes of his potential, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the Sunderland first team.
Rusyn is a Ukrainian forward who started his career with Dynamo Kyiv, making his debut in 2017. He enjoyed loan spells with Zorya Luhansk and SK Dnipro-1 before signing for Sunderland in 2023. Though he showed promise in Ukraine, Rusyn is still finding his feet in the English game.
Squad Balance and Opportunities
Sunderland’s failure to offload fringe players in the summer has resulted in a somewhat bloated squad, especially following the arrival of four new players on deadline day. However, Le Bris does not believe this will be a problem and insists there is room for all players to contribute.
“I don’t think we have too many players,” he stated. “We have 22 or 23 with the ability to play. Now, the balance will be different because some went, some came in and you find a new balance. The first part of the season, we built a good dynamic, now we have to take another step.”
Le Bris is confident that each player has the potential to make an impact over the course of the season. “There is the possibility for everyone in the squad to play if they show they deserve it in the training sessions, or maybe in the ten, 20 minutes they come onto the pitch,” he said. “It’s a reset, and all the players have a chance to play.”
Looking ahead, Sunderland are set to face Sheffield Wednesday after the international break, a side currently sitting in the bottom half of the Championship table. Sunderland are top of the table, and with a tightly packed schedule ahead, Le Bris may need to rely on a wider range of his squad to keep the club’s promotion push alive.
Writer’s View
Sunderland’s decision to keep Adil Aouchiche, Jewison Bennette, and Nazariy Rusyn after the summer transfer window could be a blessing in disguise. While they may not have cemented their place in the starting line-up yet, all three bring different qualities to the squad that could prove useful as the season wears on. Aouchiche, in particular, could offer creativity in midfield if given more opportunities.
Le Bris’s challenge will be managing a large squad effectively while maintaining team harmony. With several key fixtures looming, including a winnable game against Sheffield Wednesday, rotation will be essential. If the trio can show the right attitude and work ethic in training, they may just force their way back into the manager’s plans at a critical point in the season.
