It is all but a certainty that Sunderland will defy the odds and survive in the Premier League.

The Black Cats earned promotion via the playoffs last season, and after making a strong start to the campaign under Regis Le Bris, sit 11th on 40 points, with an outside shot at qualifying for European football.

Some of their success can certainly be attributed to excellent summer recruitment. Sunderland made several significant incomings, with Granit Xhaka the marquee addition. The likes of Robin Roefs and Habib Diarra have also left excellent impressions.

The Black Cats weren’t as active in January, but did sign talented young winger Nilson Angulo.

Why Angulo is such an exciting signing

The signing of 22-year-old Angulo might be viewed one day as a brilliant piece of business from Sunderland. He made the move to the Stadium of Light from Belgian giants Anderlecht, for a fee of £17.5m, in what was a surprising late addition over the winter.

He joined the north east club off the back of excellent form in the first half of the season for the Pro League side. The young Ecuadorian winger had seven goals and eight assists in 30 appearances before his switch to Sunderland, with 13 of those coming in the top flight.

He is yet to chip in with a goal or assist for the Black Cats since his debut, though he has only played six times for the Mackems. Yet, the tricky winger has made an impression in the Premier League so far, completing an average of 1.7 dribbles and creating 0.7 chances per 90 minutes.

Although he is still adapting to English top-flight football, it certainly feels as though Angulo could be a big talent in the future. He was handed the number 10 shirt by the Black Cats, a sign they believe in his talent.

As good as Angulo is, though, there is a former Sunderland player who is arguably better.

Former Sunderland star is now better than Angulo

It will be exciting to see how Angulo’s career at the Stadium of Light pans out. He is a talented winger, something which Sunderland have had their fair share of in the last few seasons. Manchester United star Amad is a prime example, following a loan spell a few seasons ago.

Another player who could fall into that category is Jack Clarke. Now plying his trade for Ipswich Town following a £15m move, former Tottenham Hotspur winger Clarke played two and a half seasons in the famous red and white shirt.

He might well be considered a modern-day icon at the Stadium of Light. The left winger, who was born in York, made 114 appearances for the club, scoring 28 times and assisting 23. Clarke helped the club get promoted from League One and push for Championship promotion, too.

Described as a “sensational” player by Sunderland fan and Sky Sports analyst Dougie Critchley, the 25-year-old became adored by the Sunderland fans for his fearless dribbling, driving at defenders with his quick feet and changes of pace.

Now back in the Championship with the Tractor Boys, he is enjoying a strong season. Clarke has impressive output with 12 goals and two assists, completing 2.11 dribbles and creating the same number of chances per 90 minutes. That puts him in the top 8% and 7% of Championship wingers.

Clarke key stats in 25/26 Championship
Stat (per 90)	Number	Rank
Goals	0.6	Top 4%
Chances created	2.11	Top 7%
Dribbeles completed	2.11	Top 8%
Touches in opposition box	5.18	Top 12%
Duels won	6.83	Top 11%
Stats from Fotmob

Angulo is a brilliant talent, but it is easy to see how Clarke is even better than him at the moment. The Ipswich number 47 is already written into Sunderland folklore, and has maintained those levels in the two years since his departure.

He has far more experience in English football and is once again proving to be extremely productive in the final third. The Ecuadorian did well for Anderlecht, but is yet to reach those kinds of levels in the Premier League.

He would certainly have boosted the quality in Le Bris’ side today, and could have been a big difference as they make their unlikely push for European football.