After an eight-year absence, Sunderland have made a fantastic return to the Premier League. The team has impressed everyone with a strong start to the season, securing four wins and two draws in their first eight games. This impressive run places them seventh in the league standings and has caught the attention of former players and fans alike.
In a recent interview, former England striker Jermain Defoe shared his thoughts on the excellent form of his two old clubs, Sunderland and Tottenham. He praised both teams for their strong starts to the season, crediting smart management, key players, and solid teamwork for their success.
📈 Sunderland’s Amazing Premier League Return
Defoe expressed his delight at seeing Sunderland performing so well, describing their start as “amazing.” He noted that for a newly promoted and very young team, their performance has exceeded all expectations. “If you had said that at the beginning of the season, I think everyone would have been happy,” he remarked. Defoe believes the club is back where it belongs in the Premier League and suggested that the team should focus on taking each match one at a time to continue their positive momentum.
🧠 Key Figures in Sunderland’s Rise
Defoe highlighted two key individuals behind Sunderland’s recent success: manager Regis Le Bris and midfielder Granit Xhaka. He praised Le Bris for his calm and composed attitude, which has been a steadying influence on the team. He also pointed to the huge impact of Granit Xhaka, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen. Defoe explained that Xhaka’s experience and leadership are incredibly valuable for the younger players. “The young players are blessed to have someone like that who’s been there and he’s done it at the top level,” he said.
⚪ Defoe on Tottenham’s Solid Form
Turning his attention to his other former club, Defoe commented on Tottenham’s strong start under manager Thomas Frank. He believes a club of Tottenham’s stature needs to be competing in the Champions League. He noted that the team looks fit and has improved defensively compared to last season. Defoe was also very pleased with the club’s new signings, especially Mohamed Kudus. “Kudus for me was probably the main one,” he said. “He’s been one of the top players in the Premier League this year.”
