AliousLuis Hemir’s Struggles in Italy Fall Short of Sunderland Boss Regis Le Bris’ Early Expectations
Sunderland’s 2024/25 Championship campaign has marked a significant turnaround from the disappointments of the previous season, where the club slumped to a 16th-place finish following a woeful end to the year. Under the leadership of head coach Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats have undergone substantial transformations—both in terms of tactical identity and player personnel. A major aspect of Le Bris’ vision has been trimming the squad to remove fringe players and focus on a more cohesive core.
Among those moved out to seek opportunities elsewhere was young striker Luis Hemir, whose stint away from the Stadium of Light has not gone as planned.
### Hemir’s Loan Fails to Deliver the Development Hoped For
The Portuguese forward was loaned out to Juventus Next Gen—a developmental squad competing in Italy’s third tier, Serie C. The move was intended to give Hemir the platform to rediscover the promise he had once shown as a prolific academy product at Benfica. However, the 21-year-old has struggled to make an impact, managing just two goals in 26 league appearances—an underwhelming return considering the step down in competition level.
Hemir’s form, or lack thereof, has fallen well short of the expectations Le Bris set when he took charge. Back in August, the Frenchman was clear in his evaluation of the striker’s readiness for the demands of senior football.
“Luis is still developing,” Le Bris had said. “At this club, responsibility is a big word. We need to ensure players have a solid foundation before they are expected to carry that burden. Hemir has genuine talent, but he’s not at that level yet.”
### A Ruthless but Necessary Approach from Le Bris
Le Bris arrived with a clear strategy—prioritize quality and readiness over quantity. Rather than holding onto underperforming or unprepared players, the new manager opted to loan or move on several of the younger prospects who had failed to cement themselves in the first team.
While others like Timothee Pembele and Pierre Ekwah were loaned to Ligue 1 outfits, Hemir’s path led him to Italy—a move that, in theory, should have presented him with the right conditions to grow. Yet his inability to find the net with consistency has cast doubt over his long-term future at Sunderland.
### Future in Doubt?
Although still young, Hemir’s disappointing campaign in Serie C has not helped his cause as Sunderland look to build a more competitive, streamlined squad. Le Bris has shown a willingness to support youth, but only when there is evidence of progression and the right attitude to match.
Hemir’s loan was meant to be a proving ground—a chance to reignite his trajectory and potentially fight for a spot back at the Stadium of Light. Instead, his stagnation may prompt Sunderland to consider alternative pathways for the forward, either through another loan or a permanent move.
As the Black Cats continue their upward trajectory under Le Bris, the spotlight on returning loanees like Hemir will only intensify. For now, though, his time in Italy appears to be a missed opportunity rather than a developmental success story.
Alious
