Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of eventful.
Their campaign began with a resounding 3-0 win over West Ham in front of a bouncing Stadium of Light.
A 2-0 defeat away at Burnley quickly reminded them of the challenges ahead, but the Black Cats hit back with a dramatic 2-1 home victory against Brentford.
A stalemate with Crystal Palace and a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Aston Villa – where Sunderland played the majority of the game with ten men – showcased resilience.
Victory in that match would have propelled them into fourth place, remarkable for a club that was battling in the Championship just last season.
Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest, who are still adjusting to life under Ange Postecoglou.
While the focus is rightly on Sunderland’s bright start and their new arrivals – such as Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra – it is impossible not to think back to some of the players who once wore red & white.
Among them are high-profile names like Jobe Bellingham, but also a forward who is currently one of the Premier League’s most electric performers.
How Jobe Bellingham is doing at Borussia Dortmund
When Jobe Bellingham joined Sunderland from Birmingham in 2023, the 20-year-old midfielder carried immense expectation.
A product of the same footballing family that produced Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, he quickly became a focal point in Sunderland’s Championship promotion campaign.
Jobe made 40 league appearances last season, scoring four times and assisting three.
He played a vital role as the Black Cats edged their way through the play-offs to seal their return to the top flight.
That impact saw Borussia Dortmund move quickly, paying £27 million to secure his services in the summer.
While the Bundesliga giants recognise his potential, his time in Germany has so far been one of adjustment.
Opportunities in the starting XI have been limited, and the young midfielder is still searching for consistency at the highest level. Premier League sides like Crystal Palace were interested, but Bellingham opted for Dortmund, hoping to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Despite his high-profile move, Bellingham has not yet hit the heights Sunderland fans might have expected.
Instead, it is another former Black Cat, less heralded during his time on Wearside, who is making waves and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers.
Antoine Semenyo – tearing it up in the Premier League
While Jobe Bellingham carried the headlines, Antoine Semenyo is another former Sunderland player truly shining in Europe.
The 25-year-old winger had a fleeting spell with the Black Cats, joining on loan from Bristol City in 2020 when the club were fighting in League One. He was valued at just £436k by Transfermarkt at the time.
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He made just seven appearances, leaving only a modest impression at the time, per Transfermarkt, and the club did not decide to pursue a permanent deal for the winger, which has turned out to be a big mistake.
Fast-forward to today, and Semenyo is among the most sought-after forwards in England.
Since joining Bournemouth in a £10 million move from Bristol City in 2023, he has blossomed into a complete forward.
Last season, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 league appearances.
His form prompted Bournemouth to slap a £70 million price tag on him this summer amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
This season, he has started even stronger.
Matches Played
5
Goals
3
Assists
2
Progressive Carries
15
Progressive Passes
16
The stats underline just how effective he has become.
He ranks in the 87th percentile for shots per 90 (3.15), the 74th percentile for successful take-ons (2.04), and the 70th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.22), per FBref.
He is also defensively diligent, sitting in the 98th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.84) and an extraordinary 97th percentile for aerial duels won (2.01).
EBL on X described Semenyo as a “£100m player” – high praise, but one that feels increasingly justified.
His combination of work rate, direct running, and physical dominance makes him the exact type of modern forward that elite clubs crave.
For Sunderland supporters, watching Semenyo thrive may stir mixed emotions.
His spell on Wearside was brief and largely unremarkable, yet his career trajectory is proof of how unpredictable football development can be.
While their current squad has plenty of fresh talent, it is hard not to reflect on what might have been had Sunderland kept hold of him during his formative years, which is why they messed up by failing to identify his talent and pursue a permanent deal after his loan stint.