Sunderland take plenty of pride in their youth academy, and rightly so. The club has and continues to produce some outstanding talents.
After seeing the breakthroughs of Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson this season, Sunderland fans are waiting patiently to see who the next youth star to break through might be.
There’s certainly a few options with several of the Black Cats’ youngsters impressing at the Academy of Light this season.
But striker Trey Ogunsuyi seems like the one who’s ready to make his mark on Regis Le Bris’ first-team in the very near future.
The 19-year-old Belgian striker has even been linked with Liverpool this season, highlighting how highly thought of he is. And he’s again reminded everyone of his potential with a hat-trick for the U21s.
Sunderland fans wowed by Trey Ogunsuyi after U21s hat-trick
Needless to say, Ogunsuyi’s hat-trick in the 3-3 draw against Southampton on Thursday has prompted a reaction from fans, who describe Ogunsuyi as a “beast” and have again urged Le Bris to give him some first-team exposure.
“Get this kid in the first team,” posted one Sunderland fan on X. Another added: “Needs some first-team minutes”, with Ogunsuyi yet to make his Championship debut but having made his senior debut in the FA Cup this season.
Sunderland fans added that Ogunsuyi has a “huge future” ahead of him, and that the striker is “some boy” amid his fine form this season with 11 goals in nine Premier League 2 games so far.
“The Premier lLeague isn’t ready for Trey next season,” said another Black Cats supporter, as one described Ogunsuyi as “another starboy” at the club.
Trey Ogunsuyi labelled ‘the next Chris Rigg’ at Sunderland
There’s certainly a lot of hype around the player. But it looks like we’ll have to wait until next season to really see Ogunsuyi in action, although minutes in the final weeks of the season can’t be ruled out.
That might depend entirely on where the Black Cats are come the final games, though. Earlier in the season, journalist James Copley shared his verdict on Ogunsuyi, saying: “I think he could be the next big thing at Sunderland, in terms of; the next Chris Rigg, the next Tommy Watson.
“Depending on where Sunderland are come the end of the season, I think you could see him get his first minutes of the campaign… similarly to Watson maybe, towards the back end of last season.”
Sunderland are back in Championship action against Hull City on Saturday, whilst the U21s next play West Brom at the start of March.