Sunderland’s sale of Tommy Watson to Brighton has been reviewed by an EFL expert.
This week, the news arrived that Sunderland had agreed the sale of Tommy Watson to Brighton for a fee in the region of £10million.
The 18-year-old winger was linked with a move to the high-flying Seagulls in the winter, with Brighton trying to clinch a deal for Watson on deadline day, however, it could not come to fruition, meaning that the youngster was set to spend the rest of the campaign on Wearside.
Sunderland’s sale of Watson has brought up debate of whether he should still be utilised in the squad, given the fact that the Black Cats have little need to develop a youngster they have already cashed in on.
Following his sale, his move has been described as ‘disappointing’ by one EFL expert, but not in relation to the Black Cats.
EFL experts give ‘disappointing’ verdict over Tommy Watson Sunderland sale
The deal to sell winger Watson to Brighton has sparked the opinions of EFL experts Ryan Dilks and Justin Peach, via the Second Tier Podcast on X.
Dilks said: “This feels a bit disappointing to me. I know Sunderland fans are very disappointed about it because it’s a local lad from the Sunderland academy leaving before he’s even made a proper mark on the first team feels a bit premature if you ask me.”
Peach added: “I think you can argue it is a bit premature from Tommy Watson’s perspective.
He also looked to reflect on the piece of business from a Sunderland perspective, as he said: “You’ve got £10million for a player who has played 14 times for your team, you can’t be that disappointed.”
Watson’s will be Sunderland’s 6th biggest sale, with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jack Clarke and Jordan Henderson ahead of the 18-year-old in terms of fee received.
Tommy Watson sale shows the impact of Kristjaan Speakman philosophy
Sunderland currently have several top players on the books, all of which could fetch a sizeable fee due to their age and potential, as Watson has done.
This is a clear sign that the philosophy that Speakman has implemented at the club is clearly working, as many sides would give very little game time to the likes of Watson, and would instead turn to experience.
Watson has had very little game time, but they have still done impeccably well to command an eight-figure fee for the 18-year-old. As a result of this, it shows that the club are going out their business correctly by prioritising the player thet can maximise profits in.