Updated 20 September 2026 after Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland.
The old Sunderland ranking is obsolete. Brian Brobbey has just scored a Premier League hat-trick away at Manchester City, so the club guide can no longer be led only by Mukiele, Ballard and defensive contributions.
Updated Sunderland ranking
| Rank | Player | Current FPL route |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Brobbey | Central forward + explosive ceiling |
| 2 | Mukiele | DefCon / defender route |
| 3 | Granit Xhaka | Minutes + midfield floor |
| 4 | Malick Fofana | Attacking watch |
| 5 | Ballard / CB route | DefCon rotation |
1. Brobbey
Three goals at the Etihad change the conversation immediately. The next step is confirming starts, central role, shot volume and fitness rather than blindly chasing the points.
Read Brian Brobbey FPL.
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2. Mukiele
Mukiele remains one of Sunderland’s best defensive routes because DefCon can survive even when the clean sheet disappears.
Conceding five at City is not a reason to sell him automatically. The coming fixtures are much softer.
3. Xhaka
Xhaka offers secure central minutes, defensive contributions and occasional attacking involvement. His ceiling is lower than Brobbey’s, but his floor can suit deeper squads.
4. Fofana
Fofana remains a higher-risk attacking watch. Brobbey’s breakout raises the question of whether Sunderland can support more than one attacking FPL asset.
Fixtures
The next run includes Brighton at home, Bournemouth away, Leeds at home, Coventry away and Chelsea at home. That is why Brobbey’s hat-trick deserves more than one-match hype.
Does conceding five kill Sunderland defence?
No. Manchester City are an elite attack. Sunderland defenders should still be selected for price, DefCon and fixtures rather than elite clean-sheet expectations.
Wildcard
One Sunderland asset can make sense. Brobbey and Mukiele are now the clearest routes for completely different reasons.
OneFPL verdict
Brobbey is now the No.1 attacking route. Mukiele remains the safer defensive/DefCon route. The useful fixture run makes both relevant for GW6 planning.
