Praise Of Thomas...The Flank Engine

Sunderland AFC have moved quickly in the transfer window to sign Belgian international Thomas Meunier, a former PSG and Borussia Dortmund defender whose contract at Lille has ended. The club already has a strong World Cup presence, but recruitment has now added an experienced right-back ahead of Sunderland’s first European campaign in more than 50 years. In early appearances in red and white, Meunier has shown athletic, fast-paced performances down the flank, including a first-time cross against Fulham and a near miss from the touchline versus Ipswich. The recruitment pitch is as much about attitude and leadership as footballing quality, with Meunier also directing teammates defensively like Granit Xhaka.