'Move Forward' - Regis Le Bris Explains Chemsdine Talbi's Sunderland Future After Chelsea Win

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has explained after the Chelsea win that the Black Cats and Chemsdine Talbi are now looking to "move forward" together following the Moroccan winger's turbulent start to the season.

In the summer transfer window, Talbi was heavily linked with an exit from Sunderland to the Saudi Pro League amidst his initial snub from Le Bris' Europa League squad, seeing the young attacker struggle for minutes in red-and-white, falling behind Nilson Angulo and £30.8m summer signing Malick Fofana in the pecking order.

However, Sunderland made clear that Talbi would be staying at the Stadium of Light, and the 21-year-old instantly repaid the club's decision with his game-winning goal and performance in the 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round win over Hull City on the same day that the news was announced.

Since then, Talbi has slowly found his way back into contention and has also been added to Sunderland's Europa League squad following Habib Diarra's injury, impressing in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Brentford last month and most recently, with his first Premier League start of the season in Sunday's Chelsea win.

Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday courtesy of an Enzo Le Fee penalty, in a performance that suggested Le Bris' side were finally back to their best, with Talbi enjoying his first top flight start of the season in the process.

Against the Blues, Talbi showed his technical quality throughout the clash, whipping in a delightfully teasing cross for Brian Brobbey towards the Blues' back post, which should not have been squandered by the Sunderland number nine, and also showed selfless work rate off the ball.

Following Sunderland's timely victory over Chelsea, Le Bris was pleased with rejuvinated Talbi's performance and explained that honest conversations have helped the Black Cats boss, hierarchy and winger draw a line under the Saudi Pro League transfer saga.

As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris said: "With Chemsdine, we had a long conversation two or three weeks ago about the season.

"It’s really demanding in the Premier League – you don’t have many wingers at the top for the full season. We need to support the players, but then they have to do their job as well.

"If you work hard, you will have your opportunities soon.

"He came on against Leeds, at the end of the game, and had an opportunity there, and then today he had the opportunity to start, and I think he did well.”

After his return to Sunderland contention, Talbi has shown his intent to consistently attack his opposing full-back, rather than frustratingly turn back and recycle possession as he did too often last season despite scoring four goals for the Black Cats.

As Sunderland fans saw last season with his winner at Stamford Bridge, stunner against Burnley and crucial equaliser in the Newcastle United derby comeback, Talbi has the penchance for a spectacular moment.

Now, with the full backing of his Sunderland boss, the onus is on Talbi to translate his Black Cats' re-emergence into goal contributions in the post-international break run of fixtures to help get Le Bris' side back to their best in the final third.