Dennis Cirkin has been a revelation for Sunderland this season, coming back into the fold after his injury-hit 2023/24 campaign.
Sunderland fans have always known how good of a player Dennis Cirkin is. But this season, Cirkin has perhaps exceeded expectations, proving himself arguably the best left-back in the championship.
Last time out, Cirkin scored a screamer for Sunderland in their 2-2 draw against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light, giving him his second goal in 15 Championship outings this season.
Recent reports state that Leeds United are interested in Cirkin at Sunderland. Though it feels unlikely that the Sunderland owners will sell a key player to a promotion rival in January, nor that they’ll sell any key players in January as Regis Le Bris eyes promotion in his first season at the club.
Dennis Cirkin hails Sunderland teammate Luke O’Nien
Last season, Cirkin featured just eight times in the championship owing to multiple injury blows for the 22-year-old.
It was a tough time for the former Spurs man, who was sorely missed in the side. But speaking to Sunderland Echo, Cirkin has hailed Luke O’Nien and the guidance he gave during Cirkin’s injury troubles last season.
Cirkin said, “I think you just find a way to cope [with injuries]. Especially because for me, I’m young, so I won’t have any answers. I think I just learned as I went, going through highs and lows and different ways of learning.
“I have very good people around me. I just want to give a big shout-out to Luke, a really good man.
“It goes so under the radar how much of an effect he has on the team, on the individuals, on everyone around the club. He’s a big character in the dressing room, helping everyone out.”
Luke O’Nien named Sunderland’s Player of the Season so far
There’s certainly a case to say that Cirkin is Sunderland’s Player of the Season so far. The impact he has on the left, in attack and defence, has been huge and a real difference-maker for the Black Cats under Le Bris.
But speaking earlier in the season, journalist James Copley said that O’Nien was the ‘obvious shout’ for Player of the Season so far.
He said, “I’m going to go for the very obvious shout of Luke O’Nien. I think he has reacted really well; obviously Dan Neil has the team captaincy so he has sort of had the armband taken off him.”
Cirkin’s comments reaffirm the belief that O’Nien has such a huge, positive impact off the pitch, and his sort of leadership and experience is crucial in what remains a very young team.
This season, we’re also seeing that O’Nien remains a very good player on the pitch too, so keeping him fit and firing is going to be key for Le Bris this season.
