One under-utilised Sunderland player could reap the rewards of Tommy Watson’s summer departure.
Sunderland winger Tommy Watson is set to join Brighton this summer after a deal was agreed for the winger to join the Seagulls following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
Many have had their say on the winger’s incoming departure, and Sunderland fans think £10million is a good price for Watson, and the deal has been regarded as brilliant business by Kristjaan Speakman.
For the remainder of the 2024/25 Championship season, debates have risen over the part that Watson should play in Regis Le Bris’ side, whether that be unchanged or limited since the news broke. Sunderland journalist Michael Graham has had his say as he believes he could pave the way for one under-utilised man.
Tommy Watson Sunderland sale to Brighton could benefit Milan Aleksic
Many have highlighted that there is very little reason to play Watson and develop the 18-year-old, having already fetched a sizeable fee for the youngster, and this is a view that Michael Graham has inherited after the news of his summer departure broke.
Taking to X, Graham said: “Would rather Sunderland used Aleksic as the back-up on the left wing than Watson for the rest of the season. He’s the one we need to be investing minutes into.”
Milan Aleksic has taken a backseat in Le Bris’ plans this season, despite arriving in the summer for a seven-figure fee.
Le Bris even suggested that Aleksic had been ‘disconnected’ amid his lack of game time under the French boss, having notched just four Championship appearances in the 2024/25 campaign, only one of which being a start for the Black Cats.
Milan Aleksic could be handed opportunity to fulfil ‘phenomenal’ potential
The sale of Watson, as Graham says, certainly could be a blessing in disguise for Sunderland ace Aleksic, who may very well be shifted up the pecking order as a result.
Despite his lack of game time, there is still plenty to get excited over with Aleksic because of the high ceiling that he has. When he arrived on Wearside, fans got very excited over the verdict of Serbian national team manager Dragan Stojkovic, who was full of praise for the starlet back in May 2024, as he said: “I saw one reception of the ball like Messi.
“This is something that not everyone can do. He has phenomenal control of the ball, vision, and passing. He is already in our junior selections, and the future is working for him.”
Hopefully Le Bris hands Aleksic his long-awaited opportunity in some capacity in the clash against West Brom.