Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele described his team’s poor start to the Premier League season as the result of arrogance. The Black Cats have lost their last four league games, including a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Sunday, leaving them second bottom in the table.
Mukiele offered a blunt assessment after the loss, telling Sky Sports, "I think this game is just what we are looking [like] from the beginning of the season. We are not good enough. Why? I don't know. Maybe because we became arrogant, this is what I think." Sunderland had impressed last season with their return to the Premier League, qualifying for the Europa League in their first year back after an eight-year absence. However, their current form suggests they are struggling to handle the demands of competing on multiple fronts.
Head coach Regis le Bris acknowledged the team’s low level of performance. "We were below the level, it's really clear. It's hard to take, hard to digest," he said. "It's very painful because we were not Sunderland and it's not acceptable." Le Bris also pointed out the challenge posed by a busy schedule but refused to seek excuses. "We want to embrace the challenge, but the position at the minute is not good."
After seven games last season, Sunderland sat ninth with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and two losses. This season, after the same number of games, they have only four points from a single win, one draw, and five defeats. Despite their league struggles, Sunderland have a perfect record in the Europa League, winning against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Portuguese second-tier team Torreense. However, they have lost their two league matches that followed these European fixtures.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given, who had a loan spell at Sunderland in 1996, suggested the squad may not be prepared for competing on multiple fronts after last season’s strong finish. "They overachieved last season, getting into European competition," Given said. "I don't know if the squad is ready for a challenge on all fronts. You need a bigger squad, a deeper squad, and it's going to be a big ask." He added that the Premier League remains the priority. "It's about the bread and butter in the Premier League – that's the most important thing."
Sunderland spent £161 million on 15 new players following their promotion in the summer of 2025. This summer they invested around £60 million on five new signings but retained key figures like captain Granit Xhaka and striker Brian Brobbey, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Defensive errors have compounded Sunderland’s problems. Against Bournemouth, Kevin Danso, a loan signing from Tottenham Hotspur, was outplayed by Evanilson in the build-up to Marcus Tavernier’s early goal. Danso was then sent off in the 17th minute for a foul on Evanilson, who was clear on goal. Later, Omar Alderete’s weak backpass allowed Evanilson to seal the win.
According to Opta, Sunderland have committed five errors leading directly to goals this Premier League season—the most of any team. Alderete and Danso join Hull’s Konstantinos Tzolakis as the only players with multiple errors causing goals. Sunderland have conceded 14 goals, more than double their tally after seven games last season. Their attacking output has been limited as well, with just six goals scored and only three shots attempted—all off target—against Bournemouth, the lowest total by any Premier League team so far this season.
Facing top teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Brighton has not helped Sunderland’s start, but Mukiele insisted the team must improve. "It's just the beginning. Football is like this," he said. "You can accept and just stand up and go back to work. If I believe we can go back to the top again, yeah, I believe about this. It depends about what we really want and this starts in training because we don't do enough and after you can see it on the pitch."
Xhaka also called for calm following the fifth league defeat, but Sunderland’s recent performances have raised serious questions about their ability to maintain Premier League status.
According to Yahoo Sports.
