Sunderland have been told that their most exciting out-on-loan prospect hasn’t even made his professional debut for the Black Cats yet.
Sunderland have endured very dramatic highs and lows over the last decade or so, but one thing that they have always done well is bring through quality players in the academy.
While they have seen some of their most exciting youngsters leave for just pennies, they undeniably have one of the best academies in the EFL – even better than many in the Premier League too.
The Black Cats have produced the likes of Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson over the years, while the likes of Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson are currently making their mark in the Championship.
The latter is one player who could potentially be on his way out though, with Liverpool said to be interested.
Patterson could be set to follow Pickford to Merseyside, but Sunderland could have already produced yet another exciting young goalkeeper in Matty Young.
When asked who is Sunderland’s out-on-loan prospect that he is ‘most excited’ about, journalist James Copley replied with Young’s name.
The Wearside outfit currently have the likes of Jewison Bennette and Eliezer Mayenda out on loan this season, but it is the teenage shot-stopper that has caught his attention.
Young did make an appearance for Sunderland’s first team during pre-season, but has only made the bench in a competitive match once against Swansea City back in November. The ‘amazing’ 17-year-old has since joined Darlington on loan and is really impressing, earning himself his full international debut in England U18s’ win over the Netherlands yesterday.
Copley has already made his admiration for Young clear, admitting that it will be ‘interesting’ to see whether he makes the step up to the senior team next season.
Do we already have another Anthony Patterson on our hands?
Chris Rigg is of similar age to the goalkeeper and is also earning his stripes with the Young Lions, whilst enjoying a breakthrough with the Black Cats too.
Young is certainly a huge talent and is just another promising goalkeeper that has come through the ranks, but to potentially throw him into Championship football after half a season in the National League North seems like a lot of pressure.
Even if Patterson leaves, Sunderland will surely – and hopefully – look to a goalkeeper with a bit more experience, while we won’t want to waste Young’s talent on the bench too. It seems more likely that he would be sent out on loan again and then we can consider his immediate future next summer instead.