Régis Le Bris defends and explains his big Trai Hume decision at Sunderland with interesting tactical insight
Sunderland conclude their Premier League campaign against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday
Régis Le Bris has praised Trai Hume's role in Sunderland's recent run of form and hinted that he could well stay in his right-wing role for Sunday's European showdown with Chelsea.
Le Bris brought Hume back into the side on the right wing after the Black Cats conceded nine goals in two games against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, with Sunderland subsequently going three games unbeaten to keep their European aspirations alive heading into the final day of the season this weekend.
While the move has again proved divisive with fans, Le Bris says it has been vital to the balance of the side even if the defender's strength is not in the final third.
"First of all, Trai is a great player," Le Bris said.
"He's not only a great player, he's a strong teammate with a great character. In a game, to gain control, you also have to defend well. For example, against Everton, we didn't see Ndiaye because we controlled Ndiaye really well. If we remove this threat from him with Lucha and with Trai, we can have more control. But maybe with another player, I won't say a winger or someone else, we'll control this threat less and we'll have less control, concede more chances and so on.It's a dynamic and hard to explain and to anticipate. After that, our wingers, so Chems won't be available this weekend for example, are still a bit immature. So in this league, it's a question of balance. Nilson played against Everton, still needs time to develop, so it's a question of balance.
"It's not only for defensive output," he added.
"It's also because he's really versatile and gives us a balance, and it's rare at that level to have this kind of player. He can play left-back, right-back, even centre-back, back-three, probably in the back-four. He can play right-back, he can play right-winger, he can play midfielder. He can play everywhere. He's always smart and well-connected with the squad.
"So, impressive. He might have weaknesses in the final third, but he's so impressive elsewhere."
Talbi's injury means Bertrand Traoré will likely return to the squad this weekend to provide another option on the right flank from the bench.
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Sunderland could qualify for European competition should they win and other results go their way. Le Bris said that would be an 'exceptional' achievement but the result on Sunday won't define the campaign for the Black Cats.
"At the minute we have 51 points, an opportunity to get three more points to reach 54, which is impressive for the first season back in the Premier League after eight years away," Le Bris said.
"We played good football, we respected the identity, we grew, we learned, we improved, we struggled at times as well, which is normal in that league. We'll have an opportunity to get three more points and if the planets align elsewhere maybe something exceptional can happen but it's not fully in our hands."
Le Bris added that he and his staff won’t be following results elsewhere.
He said: “We won't do that directly. I think in the stands, everywhere, we'll have information. For us, the most important is to win. Chelsea is a really strong opponent. We can't underestimate Chelsea, it's impossible. They have game-changers, they have talent everywhere on the pitch. We have to play our best football and that's enough.”
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