“Nordi, Nordi, Nordi…!”

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele celebrates scoring the opening goal with Chris Rigg during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images Nordi Mukiele used to play with Lionel Messi, but he had a certain view of the Argentine World Cup winner and instead, dedicated himself to coming and playing for Régis Le Bris. Exaggerated song lyrics or not, Mukiele has flourished since landing on Wearside.

His spell here has helped Sunderland and after seeing his name back on the team sheet, I was delighted, reminding everyone around me in the Fans’ Museum how good he is at getting us moving up the pitch. So you can only imagine my delight when on the hour mark on Sunday, Mukiele surged infield, taking several Tottenham players out of the game and rifling in the winner — albeit via a deflection. However, fortunate or not, that ball doesn’t get near the net without Mukiele taking a gamble on that attacking run.

After Granit Xhaka, Mukiele was the next signing that left me genuinely shocked when he was announced by Sunderland. Playing for Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, and RB Leipzig during a varied career, he was sold ‘the project’ by former Leverkusen teammate Xhaka, and the rest is history, as they say. When Mukiele is in the side, we look far stronger, both going forward and at the back.

His tackle on Dan Burn during the derby win back in December was crunching, and was a reminder to that lot up the road that we were going to make their afternoon hell. His forward runs open up the right hand side and link up play. We’ve created plenty of chances this season, and six goals and assists in twenty six appearances for a first season in the Premier League — regardless of his European experience — makes for good reading, and he could and probably should’ve had another goal before his second half strike on Sunday.