Building Régis Le Bris's 20-man Sunderland squad for 2026/27 - the players locked in and the positions still to be settled

After Sunderland's 5-1 win over York City to begin their pre-season campaign, Régis Le Bris confirmed the club's plan to build a squad of around 20 first-team players to face this season's expanded schedule.

It means a significantly quieter summer transfer window than this time a year ago, with the foundations already firmly in place. So who is locked in for the new campaign, whose future is still uncertain and where do Sunderland still need to recruit? Here we break it down, position by position...

Goalkeepers

Locked in for 2026/27: Roefs, Ellborg, Moore

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Sunderland's goalkeeping group is pretty much set. Anthony Patterson was left out of the squad at York City with a move elsewhere expected this summer, while a one-year extension in Moore's contract was activated over the summer as the experienced goalkeeper remains an important figure behind the scenes. Though Roefs' stellar first season attracted plenty of attention, Sunderland don't need to sell this summer and so are planning for him to be their number one for the new campaign.

Defenders

Locked in for 2026/27: Meunier, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, O'Nien, Reinildo

Uncertain: Seelt, Alese

Thomas Meunier's arrival on a two-year deal essentially replaces Lutsharel Geertruida from last season's squad and complete's Le Bris's options on the right side of the defence. The left side, however, needs work. Luke O'Nien's very strong end to the 2025/26 campaign is good news for Sunderland and gives them very valuable depth in a number of positions, while Trai Hume's ability to play at left back is also useful for Le Bris as he navigates the expanded schedule. It nevertheless is a position where Sunderland look certain to add to their current options with at least one addition, as it's a big ask to ask Alderete to take on an even greater workload than last season.

As it stands, departures for Jenson Seelt and Aji Alese seem highly likely in order to allow them to get the regular game time they need, but it could depend on that incoming business mentioned above. Seelt had an excellent pre-season last time out, earning a place in the starting XI on opening day and a loan move to Wolfsburg. Injuries hampered his progress at the Bundesliga club but he'll likely get the chance to show his quality again over the next couple of weeks. Alese just needs a run of training injury free to begin with but his status as a homegrown player gives Sunderland an option depending on how the summer develops.

Central midfielders

Locked in for 2026/27: Xhaka, Rigg, Le Fée, Sadiki, Diarra

Uncertain: Browne

Alan Browne had an excellent game at York City playing in the deeper midfield role, which is a position where Sunderland lack cover behind Granit Xhaka. At this stage, it still seems highly likely that Browne will move on in search of regular starts but with Xhaka on his summer break following the World Cup, the Irishman will likely get more chances to impress on the upcoming tour of the US. This position of the pitch is generally one of real strength, and one where they are as good as set for the new campaign.

Habib Diarra had a difficult first season on Wearside mainly because of injury, but Sunderland invested in him heavily last summer and will be eager for him to establish himself this season. Rigg and Le Fée offer additional versatility to Le Bris because of their ability to operate in the wide areas, though the Frenchman was so exceptional in a central position towards the end of last season that he looks set for an extended run there this season.

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Wingers

Locked in for 2026/27: Talbi, Angulo

Uncertain: Mundle, Ta Bi, Tutierov

Arguably the position that needs the most attention heading into the new campaign following the departures of Eliezer Mayenda and Bertrand Traoré. Le Bris has a number of options on the right side, including Rigg and Hume who played there so effectively at the end of last season. Meunier is another option who has regularly played in more attacking roles in the right flank over the course of his long career to date. A more natural winger is needed, though, not just to improve the team's attacking threat but to free up Talbi and Angulo to play in their strongest position.

That would leave Romaine Mundle potentially struggling for regular game time and as he enters the last two years of his deal, a permanent departure is therefore possible. Talbi and Angulo's World Cup involvement nevertheless gives him a chance to stake a claim on the upcoming US tour.

Jocelin Ta Bi is expected to stay with the squad and be used as an impact player this season rather than going out on loan, but that could of course depend on incoming business. Timur Tutierov will likely head on loan towards the end of the window but he has a big chance to impress in the coming weeks and that could mean he lands a place in the squad for this season.

Strikers

Locked in for 2026/27: Brobbey

Uncertain: Isidor

Brobbey is a key player for Sunderland heading into the new campaign and looks set for a big season after impressing at the World Cup. Mayenda's departure means that at this stage, coupled with his strong finish to last season, that Wilson Isidor appears increasingly likely to stay for the new campaign. However, like Mundle, he has entered the last two years of his deal and the speculation around a January exit did not come from nowhere. Isidor was eager for more starts and there's no guarantee of that even in an expanded schedule, so that is one to watch when he returns from his summer break. At this stage, though, the pair look likely to lead Sunderland into the new campaign.

Support may come from another versatile forward in Mayenda's mould, and possibly through a young striker such as Trey Ogunsuyi or Finn Geragusian.

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