Could Régis Le Bris be the man to write his name into Sunderland folklore at Wembley? The French manager has the opportunity to lead the Black Cats back to the Premier League after an agonizing eight-year absence. Standing in their way, however, are Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United — a side determined to spoil Sunderland’s day in the capital. The Blades were once contenders for automatic promotion before a late-season slump derailed their campaign, and they remain a formidable threat that Sunderland must overcome if they are to reclaim a spot in the top flight.
Sunderland’s task is far from simple. Despite Sheffield United’s stumble, they reached the playoff final in emphatic style, dismantling Bristol City 6-0 over two legs with confidence and flair. The Black Cats will need to keep a close eye on playmaker Callum O’Hare, who struck twice in that semi-final, while also containing Harrison Burrows, a dynamic left-back who registered one goal and three assists in the same tie.
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To secure victory, Le Bris will be relying on the sharpness of Wilson Isidor in front of goal. Meanwhile, Michael Cooper, who added two more clean sheets in the playoffs to bring his season tally to 21, will need to be at his best once again. And then there’s Gustavo Hamer — the heartbeat of United’s midfield — who has amassed ten goals and seven assists across 47 appearances, earning him the coveted Championship Player of the Season title.
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Despite Hamer’s outstanding form, Sunderland have a midfield gem of their own who now commands a higher transfer valuation. Jobe Bellingham, one of the club’s brightest prospects, has seen his market value skyrocket following an impressive campaign under Le Bris, contributing four goals and three assists. Once signed for just £3 million, the 19-year-old is now reportedly valued at £22 million, per Football Transfers — a stark contrast to Hamer’s £13 million tag.
| Bellingham’s overall Sunderland numbers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Bellingham |
| Games played | 89 |
| Goals scored | 11 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Champ TOTS | 1x |
| Champ YPOTS | 1x |
| Value when joining | £3m |
| Value now | £22m |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt/Football Transfers | |
There is growing concern on Wearside that if Sunderland fail to clinch promotion, they may struggle to retain their rising stars. Manchester United had previously shown interest in 17-year-old Chris Rigg, and now Eintracht Frankfurt are circling Bellingham. If Sunderland fall short at Wembley, a lucrative summer move could well be on the cards for the young midfielder — especially if he continues to show the talent that some believe could make him a standout in Germany.
Still, before any future transfers are sealed, Bellingham and Hamer are set to face off in a high-stakes Wembley showdown. Only one will walk away with promotion, while the other may be left wondering what could have been.
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