Mason Burstow has been criticised following Sunderland’s defeat to Leicester City.
Speaking after full-time at the King Power Stadium, journalist Scott Wilson claimed the striker ‘went missing’.
Sunderland found themselves once again desperate for a striker in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, but fans were left pretty happy when Mason Burstow arrived on loan from Chelsea.
The 20-year-old was highly-rated at Stamford Bridge, having netted 10 goals in 25 appearances for the U-21 side, before he was awarded with two cameos in the Premier League earlier this season.
However, the £3k-per-week attacker has really struggled to make an impact since arriving on Wearside, still waiting for his first goal after making seven starts.
The forward was dropped for the defeat against Stoke City, but was brought back into the fold last night.
Despite being given another chance, Burstow ‘went missing’ against the Championship leaders and could face the axe once again.
In a video posted on X by Scott Wilson, the Northern Echo journalist said: “Mason Burstow tonight looked pretty good until he got to the 18-yard box and then really he went missing and clearly that’s a worry if you’re a centre-forward.”
Can Mason Burstow turn things around?
Prior to his absence against Stoke, I actually thought Mason Burstow had been doing some really nice things and had an impact on the team without actually scoring.
The forward was looking more and more confident, but it wasn’t like he was missing chances, he just never really had any to start off with. Whether that was because of his positioning or that the team just don’t set up in the way that he needs, but I was convinced he would find the back of the net eventually.
However, his performance against Leicester may see him fall back onto the bench.
Sunderland fans are used to the exceptional performances of Ross Stewart, so there isn’t much patience for a striker like Burstow who can’t score goals.
Burstow’s only bit of luck is that we don’t actually have any other goalscoring strikers either, so he has been given a lot more chances than he probably would have elsewhere.