Nordi Mukiele Scout Report At Sunderland 2025/2026: Régis Le Bris Defensive Leader – Player Analysis

Who Is Nordi Mukiele?

Nordi Mukiele (187cm/6’2”, 84kg/185lbs) has become an integral part of Régis Le Bris’ Sunderland tactics in the Wearside club’s mission for Premier League survival.

The 27-year-old former France international arrived at the Stadium of Light from European champions Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a €12m transfer fee, having spent last season out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso tactics.

Mukiele failed to secure a starting spot in two seasons at PSG (2022/2023 and 2023/2024), and he was also largely relegated to a squad player role in the Bundesliga last term.

At the time of writing this piece, however, Mukiele has played the entirety of Sunderland’s last seven Premier League games, a period during which the Black Cats have earned four wins and lost just once (2-0 versus Manchester United at Old Trafford).

This Nordi Mukiele scout report and player analysis outline the crucial defensive role Mukiele has played under Régis Le Bris so far this term.

Our football analysis explains how the Nordi Mukiele style of play has kept some of the English top-flight’s best forwards quiet and, though it’s early days, put Sunderland in a strong position to avoid relegation, with Le Bris’ side now boasting 17 points from their first nine games.

Watch TFA Video Analysis Of Nordi Mukiele

Nordi Mukiele Role In Régis Le Bris Sunderland Tactics

Régis Le Bris has already set his Sunderland side up in a variety of different formations so far this term.

Last season, as Total Football Analysis analyzed in our article on Régis Le Bris’ successful tactics to earn promotion from the 2024/2025 EFL Championship, the Breton coach primarily utilized a back four, shifting between a 4-3-3 formation and a 4-2-3-1 shape.

That’s remained consistent in 2025/2026, though Le Bris has also shown a willingness to revert to a back five, with Sunderland playing a 5-4-1 in their 1-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this past weekend.

Nordi Mukiele profiles as a right centre-back/right-back hybrid, making him a valuable option for Régis Le Bris in either a back four or a back five.

Mukiele can reliably play as a right centre-back in any formation and as a right-back in a back four.

As full-backs go, Mukiele is quite defensive.

Therefore, he wouldn’t be a good wing-back option; Trai Hume and Timothée Pembélé represent far better choices for the Black Cats if they want an attacking full-back on the right side.

Though a capable ball-carrier and a willing progressive passer, Nordi Mukiele’s standout attributes are undoubtedly out of possession.

He’s a good defensive full-back or wide centre-back option.

Versatility is crucial to successful squad building, especially for newly promoted clubs whose resources are significantly stretched compared to those of established Premier League sides.

With that in mind, Nordi Mukiele is an example of astute recruitment by the North-East club, given the potential he offers his team through his player profile.

Nordi Mukiele Stats

Mukiele played a similar hybrid right centre-back/full-back role with Bayer Leverkusen last season, often lining up behind the ultra-attacking now-Liverpool wing-back Jeremie Frimpong on that side of Die Werkself’s backline last term.

When we turn our attention to Figure 1 below, it’s clear why Sunderland signed Nordi Mukiele for 2025/2026.

Nordi Mukiele Stats At Bayer Leverkusen 2024/2025

Indeed, his attacking metrics stand out: he can pose a goal threat from set pieces and is comfortable playing from the back.

However, the main takeaway is undoubtedly his defensive duel success.