The Sunderland youth star has opened up on which England player he looks up to.
The Academy of Light is currently nurturing some brilliant talents that will likely make a significant impact on Wearside in the years to come.
The likes of Chris Rigg and Dan Neil, who rose through the academy, have managed to cement a permanent spot in the starting 11, and that will likely continue after the pair’s brilliant midfield performance against South Shields in Regis Le Bris’ first pre-season friendly.
Another youngster that performed well in the pre-season friendly was Eliezer Mayenda, who bagged a goal from a penalty.
Sunderland’s youth ranks certainly will have had all eyes on England in the 2024 European Championships as they miraculously reached the final.
A Sunderland youth player has been asked who he looks up to in the England squad, with the answer unsurprisingly being the former Black Cats shot-stopper.
Matty Young on his England and Sunderland ‘inspiration’ Jordan Pickford
Sunderland goalkeeper Matty Young has recently come off of the back of a hugely successful half a season loan spell at Darlington in the National League North, where he only conceded 13 goals in 14 matches.
When asked who his inspiration in the England team was, Young said to the Athletic: “Jordan [Pickford] is an inspiration to all of us young goalkeepers.
“We all have dreams of playing for our country one day and knowing he started his journey at the Academy of Light gives us the belief that we can do the same.”
The 17-year-old is certainly one to keep his eye on in the future, and there is no surprise that he sees England and former Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as his ‘inspiration’.
Sunderland’s Matty Young has the potential to be a star on Wearside
Coming off the back of a brilliant spell at Darlington, in which he significantly contributed to the side from avoiding relegation from the National League North with six clean sheets in just 14 matches, it is clear that Young has bags of potential.
The comparisons with Pickford and Young are endless, including the coincidence that Pickford’s development was aided by a first loan spell to Darlington as well, which saw the England goalkeeper thrown into first team action at the age of 18.
Young, who has one England U19 cap to his name, is yet to get a chance at first team football with Sunderland, although he was once named on the bench in the Black Cats’ 0-0 draw away to Swansea in the 2023/24 campaign.
Following one or two further positive loan spells either in National League or League Two, Young could be in a position to be competing, or at least be in the conversation of whether he will be first ready for Sunderland.