Sunderland’s rise to the top of the Championship this season is impressive on its own, but even more so when considering the ages of the Black Cats’ star men.
Regis Le Bris has cultivated a successful unit out of the plethora of young talent at his disposal, with special talents like Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham at the forefront.
The average age of the Sunderland squad is just 23.6 this season, a remarkable stat considering their position in the table. This position has undoubtedly caught the attention of the football world’s scouts, who are beginning to circle on Sunderland’s stars.
Sunderland will demand a huge fee for Rigg, whilst Bellingham will have a queue of suitors as long as he remains in red and white. Dennis Cirkin has also been linked with Leeds, highlighting the immense task the Sunderland owners will have to keep this squad together.
The squad itself will certainly be hoping to finish this season with their youthful aces still in hand, with one player, in particular, addressing his unexpected new role in a dressing room full of the youth and potential that he is used to embodying.
Aaron Connolly on the youthful Sunderland dressing room
In an interview with The Northern Echo, Black Cats striker Aaron Connolly revealed his shock at being one of the elder statesmen in the Sunderland squad.
He said: “It’s crazy, there’s Riggy [Chris Rigg], Jobe [Bellingham], then Romaine [Mundle] at 21, Trai [Hume], Dennis [Cirkin], it’s mental how many talented young players are here.
“I’m only 24, but I feel ancient. I’m usually the youngest in the changing room, I have been at Brighton, Hull and Middlesbrough. But now I have people like Riggy, who was born in 2007, and that’s crazy to me.”
24 is still young of course, but Connolly’s over 100 appearances in senior football make him a source of valuable experience for the younger stars at Sunderland. The Irishman understands this and hopes to pass on some of his gained wisdom.
“Hopefully, I can help them as much as I can.” He said: “I’ve had experience at the highest level. I’m sure they’ll play at that level, hopefully at this club, and the more I settle, the more I can help.”
How Sunderland’s youth compares to their promotion rivals
It is often suggested that experience is key to winning promotion from the Championship, but Sunderland will have to rely on the strength of their young talent to bring Premier League football back to the Stadium of Light.
| Team | Average Age |
| Sunderland | 23.6 |
| Sheffield United | 24.6 |
| Leeds United | 26.2 |
| Burnley | 25.6 |
| West Brom | 27.0 |
| Watford | 25.1 |
Sunderland have comfortably the youngest squad in the current top six, with closest rivals Sheffield United having a whole year over the Black Cats squad on average.
The most stark differences are found in the playoff positions, though, with nearly three years between Sunderland and Leeds’ squad and close to four years between the North East side and West Brom.
Alongside the age of the team, Le Bris is also experiencing his first season coaching in English football. The Frenchman and his young squad, alongside the help of more experienced players like Connolly, will need to overcome the perceived importance of experience if they are to gain promotion this season.