Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has already delivered plenty of drama and talking points.
The Black Cats kicked off their campaign with a statement 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Stadium of Light, but were quickly reminded of the step up in quality after a 2-0 defeat at Burnley. They responded well with a thrilling 2-1 home win against Brentford, followed by gritty draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa – the latter achieved with ten men for much of the game. Had they held on for three points in that match, Sunderland would have climbed into the top four, a remarkable rise considering their Championship status just a year ago.
Their next test comes against Nottingham Forest, now under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. Much of the focus has been on Sunderland’s new recruits, including Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra, all of whom have added quality. Yet it’s impossible for fans not to reflect on past players who once wore red and white. Among those names is Jobe Bellingham, who carried huge expectations, but it is another former loanee, Antoine Semenyo, who is currently making the biggest waves.
Jobe Bellingham’s Dortmund Challenge
Jobe Bellingham arrived at Sunderland from Birmingham in 2023 with heavy expectations, not least because of the family connection to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. He played a key part in Sunderland’s promotion-winning season, featuring in 40 league games, scoring four goals, and supplying three assists. His influence helped push the Black Cats through the play-offs, earning a place back in the Premier League.
That promise was enough for Borussia Dortmund to spend £27 million on him in the summer. But his start in Germany has been slow, with game time limited and consistency hard to find. Crystal Palace were among the English clubs interested, yet Bellingham chose the Bundesliga to try and mirror his brother’s path. For now, though, Sunderland fans have not seen his name rise as rapidly as they might have imagined.
Antoine Semenyo’s Rise to Stardom
By contrast, Antoine Semenyo has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards. His time on Wearside was brief, arriving on loan from Bristol City in 2020 while Sunderland were stuck in League One. Valued at just £436,000 back then, he made only seven appearances and left little impact, with the club choosing not to make the deal permanent.
Fast forward to today, and that decision looks like a huge misstep. Since his £10 million switch to Bournemouth in 2023, Semenyo has transformed into a powerful, complete attacker. Last season he bagged 11 goals and six assists in 37 league games, form that led Bournemouth to slap a £70 million price tag on him amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.
His underlying numbers this season underline just how far he’s come. He ranks among the Premier League’s best for attacking metrics such as shots per game, successful dribbles, and penalty box touches. Defensively, he is relentless, placing in the 98th percentile for blocks and excelling in aerial duels. Football analysts have gone as far as to label him a “£100m player,” praise that doesn’t look misplaced given his blend of pace, work rate and physicality.
For Sunderland supporters, Semenyo’s success is bittersweet. His loan spell on Wearside was forgettable, yet his subsequent rise shows just how unpredictable football development can be. While the current squad is full of fresh talent, there remains a nagging sense of regret that the club did not spot Semenyo’s potential earlier and move to secure him permanently.
In the end, Sunderland’s future looks bright in the Premier League, but Semenyo’s story is a sharp reminder of how one overlooked player can go on to become a star.