Adil Aouchiche past fears ringing true amid uncertain Sunderland future
For some at Sunderland, the Regis Le Bris era hasn’t been all that positive so far.
Sunderland find themselves in 1st place of the Championship table, despite a disappointing 3-2 defeat vs Plymouth Argyle last weekend
Regis Le Bris has guided the club to a whirlwind start to the 2024/25 season following his summer appointment.
There’s a definite feel-good factor at the Stadium of Light right now as the Black Cats continue on their quest for Premier League football.
But for some, the appointment of Le Bris hasn’t been so positive; namely those who aren’t featuring under the new Sunderland boss.
Timothee Pembele was one; he was out of favour and unsettled; with Pembele recently hitting out at Sunderland after his deadline day loan move to Le Havre.
Abdoullah Ba is another; he’s yet to feature in the Championship this season having been left out of the last three matchday squads too.
Adil Aouchiche is in the same boat as Ba too.
Adil Aouchiche future at Sunderland
Going into deadline day, it was reported that Aouchiche wanted to leave Sunderland.
But the midfielder couldn’t force an exit. He remains on Wearside where he seems to be well down in the pecking order.
The 22-year-old hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since the 4-0 win vs Sheffield Wednesday, where he played 15 minutes as a substitute.
But for Aouchiche, and for Le Bris too, this current predicament isn’t anything new.
The pair were together at Lorient; they arrived in the same summer but Le Bris would give Aouchiche just 11 Ligue 1 appearances before shipping him off to Sunderland.
Adil Aouchiche past fears now ringing true at Sunderland
Upon Le Bris’ arrival in the summer, Aouchiche would no doubt have had concerns about working with his old boss.
And if he did, those concerns have now been justified, with Le Bris once again not fancying Aouchiche.
But in the defence of both, the central midfield position is arguably the most well-stocked at Sunderland, with so much quality in that position.
It’s inevitably going to be difficult for Aouchiche to work his way into Le Bris’ current XI, but to have not been involved in a matchday squad since mid-August will still hurt.
For both parties, a January loan exit, or a permanent exit might be best.
Aouchiche showed glimpses of a player with potential last season, and it might take a loan move to get him up to speed, should he and Sunderland want to remain together, that is.
Sunderland suffered their first league defeat of the Regis Le Bris era on Saturday.
Sunderland would’ve been one of the most-backed teams in the Championship going into this weekend, if not in the whole Football League.
