Nordi Mukiele impresses in Sunderland central defense during victory over Fulham

Nordi Mukiele returned to the Sunderland starting lineup for the August 30 match at Stadium of Light, contributing to a 1-0 Premier League win against Fulham. Primarily deployed as a right-back last season, the 28-year-old played in central defense for the entirety of the 90 minutes. His performance included key interceptions and blocks that prevented Fulham counter-attacks, drawing praise for his speed and defensive impact. While Granit Xhaka earned praise for his passing, Mukiele’s defensive role was noted as central to the win. Given the presence of Trai Hume and Thomas Meunier in the squad, management may have the flexibility to utilize Mukiele in a central berth moving forward. Expected rotation and potential injuries are likely to see various players cycle through different positions as the season progresses.

• 5:00 AMYahoo Sports — Nordi Mukiele: Right Back or Centre Half?!