Sunderland’s Trai Hume has been one of many breakout defenders of the 2025–26 Premier League season, and the numbers present why. After serving to the Black Cats earn promotion, the Northern Eire right-back has adjusted seamlessly to top-flight soccer, combining tenacity with intelligence out and in of possession.
Knowledge from Opta by way of FBref exhibits Hume’s efficiency in a number of key defensive areas, expressed in percentiles, which examine gamers with their friends. So being within the eightieth percentile means he is outperforming 80% of full-backs in that class. These stats are additionally primarily based on metrics per 90 minutes.
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The 23-year-old’s defensive profile paints the image of a participant who enjoys duels and defensive duty. He ranks close to the highest of the Premier League full-back pool for tackles within the center third, underlining his willingness to step ahead and break up play early.
His interception numbers are additionally good, reflecting sharp anticipation and positional consciousness to chop out hazard earlier than it develops.
Within the air, Hume is dependable, within the prime seven per cent for aerial duels gained, a invaluable trait for a contemporary full-back who regularly faces diagonal switches and balls to the again publish.
He has additionally proved adept at tackling, holding his floor in one-on-one conditions.
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Maybe probably the most important stat is Hume’s capacity to make tackles with out fouling. He ranks within the 93rd percentile in relation to fouls dedicated, in different phrases, he’s somebody who hardly catches the referee’s consideration.
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Actually, he makes solely 0.23 fouls per 90 minutes, regardless of being aggressive and on the entrance foot. It’s fairly stunning for a defender in a newly promoted facet.
All this being mentioned, there are two vital caveats. First, Sunderland have spent a lot of the season with out the lion’s share of possession. Actually, they’ve solely seen extra of the ball in two Premier League matches – one in every of which was in opposition to , a recreation they nonetheless misplaced 2-0. That imbalance means Hume naturally has extra alternatives to make defensive actions, so a few of his numbers could also be barely inflated.
Secondly, the Premier League season is just seven video games outdated so it is a small pattern dimension. Regardless, the early indicators are encouraging.
For a participant nonetheless solely 23, Hume’s numbers replicate not simply promise, however consistency at Premier League degree.
As Sunderland try to remain up this season, Hume is prone to be an important cog in whether or not they do certainly survive.