Sunderland player may have already proved Jack Clarke successor isn't needed ASAP: View | OneFootball

Romaine Mundle was the pick of the bunch against Burnley, after failing to impress since his January move to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland welcomed Burnley to the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and went into the game without talisman Jack Clarke after his move to Ipswich Town was confirmed shortly after the match's conclusion.

Clarke spent two and a half years at Sunderland, before leaving to join the Premier League new boys in a deal worth £15 million, with an additional £5 million in add-ons.

The late deal has caused a bit of worry in the Black Cats fanbase, with the transfer window set to slam shut on August 30 at 11pm.

However, Saturday's win over Burnley will ease fears over a lack of in-house replacements, with January signing Romaine Mundle demonstrating excellently what he can provide the team when given the opportunity.

The 21-year-old scored the only goal of the game against Scott Parker's side, maintaining Sunderland's 100% start to the season, with the Black Cats now top of the Championship table.

Romaine Mundle was unplayable against Burnley and showed Clarke-esque qualities

Despite scoring just once in his first half-season with Sunderland, Mundle provided a fine performance against the Clarets, making the loss of Clarke negligible.

Although he played just five minutes in the first two matches of the 2024/25 campaign, he came into the starting 11 a different player, and took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Mundle had the joint most touches in the opposition's box on Saturday, with seven, and was extremely dangerous on the left-hand side throughout the 90 minutes.

His goal came from almost nothing. After finding Patrick Roberts at the back-post with a cross, the ball ricocheted back to the young winger, who fired past James Trafford in the Burnley goal.

The finish was almost Clarke-esque, but it was not the only thing that will remind Sunderland fans of their now former winger.

Mundle created two chances, and was a real handful for Connor Roberts throughout. His change of direction was superb, and led to the Clarets right-back second guessing himself on more than one occasion.

The competition between the two was fantastic to watch, with Mundle winning eight duels throughout the game, and it was this tenacity to win the ball back that was the reason behind Sunderland taking all three points.

The 21-year-old epitomised everything that has been so good about Regis Le Bris' side since he took over, and could be the perfect man to replace Clarke.

Romaine Mundle must now show consistency after Regis Le Bris' show of faith

Although he was brilliant against Burnley, Mundle must bring his form to more than one game this season, after struggling to have an impact when he first arrived at the club.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster faced limited game-time last season, but the sale of Clarke gives him the perfect chance to show Regis Le Bris what he can bring to the team after his show of faith, and he could save the club millions.

Sunderland have been linked with Manuel Benson from Saturday;s opposition, but the situation seems to have slowed in recent days, and the emergence of Mundle as a real talent could ultimately see any move put to bed before it even happens - and Benson probably wouldn't be at his strongest off the left flank either.

Yet, competition could be the perfect way for the 21-year-old to push on and demonstrate to the Stadium of Light faithful that losing Clarke is not the end of Sunderland's season.

Wilson Isidor, Sunderland's latest addition, can play out wide, but you'd imagine that the Black Cats will want to replace Clarke - whether they do that in the final days of the transfer window though remains to be seen, with the other choice being to save their money for another time.