While Habib Diarra was the only new signing to feature in the previous weekend’s win at South Shields, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra all started the Black Cats’ draw in the Algarve.
Le Bris changed his entire team at the interval, bringing on the likes of Dan Neil, Patrick Roberts and Wilson Isidor, who were key performers last season, but with the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign now less than a month away, the Sunderland boss admits he is starting to turn his attention to his likely line-up to face West Ham.
“I think it’s obvious that we can’t waste time,” said Le Bris, who saw Enzo Le Fee’s opener cancelled out by a last-gasp strike from Ruben Vargas. “It doesn’t mean that two or three players who played in the second [half] aren’t able to play in the first half [team].
“It’s obvious [that they can]. At the same time, we need now to work on the core of the squad to be ready to be competitive in three weeks.”
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Le Bris’ midfield selection was especially telling, with Sadiki starting as the deepest-lying midfielder, with Diarra and Le Fee playing ahead of him.
A lot can still happen between now and the start of the season, but it appears as though Le Bris currently sees those three players filling broadly-similar roles through the rest of pre-season, with a view to potentially starting together against West Ham.
“It’s (Sadiki playing as a number six) an option,” said Le Bris. “Noah has played in this position before so it’s not unusual for him.
“Habib likes running in behind, he’s a really good runner, so I think it fits their main profiles. I was happy with the connection they created so early, it’s not easy after two weeks to play at that level. So, it’s good for the future.”
With Armand Lauriente’s £17.5m move from Sassuolo expected to be completed in the next couple of days, the bulk of Sunderland’s midfield and attacking strengthening is now complete.
Attention will now switch to the defence, with yesterday’s friendly having highlighted the current lack of depth in the absence of the injured Luke O’Nien, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde.
Sunderland started last night’s game with Jenson Seelt partnering Dan Ballard at centre-half, with Niall Huggins forced to slot in as an emergency left-back.
Once Reinildo is fully established in the first-team group, he will be another option on the left of the back four, but Sunderland’s second-half selection of Jenson Jones, Tom Lavery, Zak Johnson and Harrison Jones underlines the extent to which defensive reinforcements are needed.
“It’s clear that we need to reinforce the squad, but it’s always two points of view,” said Le Bris. “Now, here in Portugal, we are working on the players we have and on the other side we have a strong staff to work on the recruitment. Both are combining at the same time now.
“I’m really happy with the team spirit. My brain has always been the two parts of the club, coaching and recruitment. I think we are doing well.
“The market is always tough, we are not the only club who wants to reinforce the squad to have the most competitive squad for the Premier league. So. we have to take time, and rushing is not a good option. At the same time, we know we have to be ready [for the start of the season].”