‘Top Talent in Belgium’
Sunderland has successfully secured the signing of wonderkid Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge, marking a significant achievement for the Tyne and Wear club. Talbi made headlines last season by scoring two goals in the Champions League knockout stages, attracting interest from some of Europe’s elite teams. However, Sunderland is close to finalizing a deal valued at approximately €23 million as they prepare to bolster their squad for their upcoming Premier League campaign.
This summer, Sunderland’s recruitment strategy has been impressive, bringing in promising young talents such as Habib Diarra from Strasbourg and Noah Sadiki from Union SG. The Black Cats aim to acquire players with significant potential for development, and Talbi aligns perfectly with this vision. We’ve gathered a detailed assessment of the 20-year-old, featuring insights from Belgian football expert and former Club Brugge scout Bart Tamsyn.
Who is Chemsdine Talbi?
Talbi is an emerging star in Belgian football, having completed his first full professional season during the 2024/25 campaign. Although he only made nine appearances in the previous season, he played 44 matches last year, contributing to 12 goals in total. As a skillful right-winger, he has made a name for himself, notably scoring a brace in the Champions League against Atalanta as a teenager. This achievement places him among the fourth youngest players to score two goals in the competition, alongside Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Nicolo Zaniolo. His standout performance in Bergamo further highlighted his remarkable debut season, marking him as a player to watch in the future.
Bart Tamsyn, Area Manager for Belgium at Transfermarkt, praised Talbi, asserting, “In my opinion, along with Konstantinos Karetsas, he is currently the best talent in Belgium. Since his standout performance in the first leg against Atalanta, he’s become a regular feature in Belgian media. Supporters frequently call for him and Karetsas to choose the Belgian national team.”
On Talbi’s optimal position, Tamsyn commented: “Currently, he plays on the right, but I believe he would excel if positioned on the left. His technical skills, pace, and strong right foot would enable him to cut inside for shots. He also has the potential to play as a second striker or a false nine. However, he needs to improve his defensive work; in a recent match against STVV, he was lax in tracking his opponent, which could have cost them a goal. He was substituted in the second half for a more defensively minded player due to his shortcomings in that area. Nevertheless, everyone agrees that his best days are ahead of him, and he is destined for success at the European level.”
Club Brugge has developed a solid reputation for nurturing young talent in recent years, becoming an appealing destination for future stars. There’s an understanding within the club that they can provide a pathway for these players to make their mark in European football before moving on to clubs in the top five leagues. Offering young players the opportunity to shine in European competitions, particularly the Champions League, while ensuring consistent first-team experience is crucial in attracting talent to Brugge.
In the last five seasons, Brugge has transferred ten players for fees exceeding €10 million, all to clubs in the top five leagues. Additionally, since the 2020/21 season, the club has generated €277 million from player sales, ranking sixth in Europe among non-top five leagues, with Benfica leading at €695 million. The sale of Charles De Ketelaere to AC Milan for €37.5 million stands as Brugge’s record transfer, and with players like Talbi in their ranks, the club is poised to continue its legacy of producing top-tier talent.
