Sunderland’s first season back in the Premier League is petering out, but there’s no question that this has been an exceptional year for Regis Le Bris and his side.

However, they have tapered off at the backend of the campaign, and while Le Bris has earned his flowers and then some, there are some fundamental issues that need sorting out. The Black Cats are not quite creative enough, and their hardy defence has creaked open in recent months.

Sunderland are not porous, but their five-goal defeat against Nottingham Forest was humiliating, and they were under the cosh for much of their draw against Wolves at Molineux.

It’s clear that the Wearsiders need another big summer transfer window, and while fans will hope for attacking additions, they need a centre-back.

Why Sunderland need to sign a centre-back

Sunderland have done an excellent job this season, but they have conceded ten goals in their past three Premier League outings, and Dan Ballard’s red card at Molineux is not going to help matters over the coming weeks.

Who Sunderland sign is another question, and while competition will be fierce, Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuskovic could be the perfect man for the job.

The Sunderland Echo have suggested that the young defender would be a brilliant addition at the Stadium of Light next season, and if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, a realistic opportunity to sign the centre-back could emerge.

The 19-year-old is currently out on loan with Hamburg in the German Bundesliga, and he’s thriving, estimated to be worth around £36m.

Why Vuskovic would be Sunderland’s best defender

Sunderland have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, and Vuskovic would deepen that identity while bringing age-belying maturity that has been developed out on loan in Germany.

Premier League 25/26 – Youngest Average XI
Club	Players Used	Av. Age
Chelsea	27	23.4
Sunderland	29	24.8
Tottenham	30	24.8
Bournemouth	26	25.0
Man City	27	25.1

This is a monstrous defender, someone who has been hailed as a “freak talent” by Como scout Ben Mattinson for his immense athleticism and robustness on the ball.

At Hamburg this season, the 19-year-old has raked in the plaudits, scoring five goals across 26 matches and winning an absurd number of challenges each game.

Though Ballard and Omar Alderete have formed a formidable defensive partnership, it’s undeniable that Sunderland have slipped from their imperious early-season standards, and if you look at the charts for xGA, you would see that they have overperformed by 11.56 goals.

Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.

Next season, Ballard and Vuskovic could thrive together, but there’s no question that the latter has the potential to not only star as Sunderland’s centrepiece but stake his claim as one of the Premier League’s star centre-backs.

League Comparison 25/26
Stats (* per 90)	Vuskovic	Ballard
Matches (starts)	26 (25)	29 (24)
Goals + assists	5 + 0	2 + 0
Touches*	74.2	51.5
Accurate passes*	46.2 (83%)	31.2 (82%)
Chances created*	0.3	0.5
Possession lost*	10.9	7.6
Ball recoveries*	4.2	2.4
Tackles + interceptions*	2.0	1.8
Clearances*	8.8	6.4
Duels won*	7.5 (69%)	5.8 (59%)

The pair share a certain likeness on the ball, both ball-playing centre-halves. Moreover, they are active defenders, making so many clearances and aerial duels.

Prising Vuskovic away from Tottenham won’t be easy, but if the Londoners are relegated, Sunderland could offer him the perfect new stomping ground to build his career in English football, keeping him away from the second tier.

Vuskovic is a talented defender, and while Tottenham would want to keep onto him this summer, he’s not going to want to play in the Championship next season. He’s better than that.

At Sunderland, the rising star would continue his development and have the chance to become a centrepiece in a strong Premier League backline. He might even outstrip the likes of Ballard and Alderete.

Which league did Sunderland play in when Regis Le Bris first took over as manager, before reaching the Premier League?