Sunderland desperately need to fill the void left by Amad Diallo this summer.
Amad Diallo showed Sunderland exactly what they had been missing all season last night, as he netted a screamer against Newcastle United.
It makes you wonder how the Black Cats ever managed to bring such a talent to the Championship, and it makes it even more obvious that his absence has escalated their decline.
Amad was way too good for the Championship, but the club never even attempted to replace him.
Jobe Bellingham has plenty of potential and bagged seven goals in his first campaign, but he is a completely different player to Amad.
The teenager isn’t going to play those nice link-up passes with Patrick Roberts or run rings round defenders, and that is what we have been really missing.
It has become very clear that the 21-year-old will never be returning to the Stadium of Light though, and now Sunderland will be tasked with finally bringing in a suitable replacement.
There is bags of talent sitting in the Premier League untouched, and the Black Cats have so far done well to highlight that with their transfers in recent years.
Kristjaan Speakman should now return to the top flight to bring in another exciting youngster that can attempt to replicate Amad’s success on Wearside.
Here are five young gems that Sunderland could loan in this summer….
5 Premier League loanees to replace Amad Diallo
Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal
Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player to ever appear in the top flight of English football back in September 2022.
He went onto attract interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, before signing his first professional contract with Arsenal in March.
The 17-year-old has netted 18 goals in 21 games in all competitions for the youth sides, while he has racked up two appearances in the Premier League.
It was reported earlier this season that the Gunners could now look to loan him out, and while Sunderland have been criticised for their lack of experience, Nwaneri could be an exception.
Ben Doak – Liverpool
Ben Doak could be an ambitious move given his five appearances for the first-team this season, but Jurgen Klopp’s exit could urge Liverpool to send him out on loan.
The German seemed to really like the Scot and hailed him as ‘special‘ before he was forced to miss out on the second half of the campaign with a meniscus tear.
The Scotland U21 international could be a very solid signing for a Championship club if he returns to full fitness in time.
Omari Kellyman – Aston Villa
Omari Kellyman has netted seven goals in the Premier League 2 this season, as well making his professional debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League, in which he bagged an assist.
The midfielder has racked up five appearances for the senior team this season and is very highly-rated at Villa Park, having signed a new contract in November.
Kellyman is another with very little senior experience, but is certainly a promising talent and could leave on loan in search of regular minutes.
George Earthy – West Ham
George Earthy was named as West Ham’s Young Hammer of the Year, having scored his first senior goal in the 3-1 win over Luton Town last week.
The 19-year-old picked up an impressive 23 goal contributions in 27 games for the U21 side, and has also been likened to Teddy Sheringham and David Silva.
It’s unclear whether the Irons will use him in the senior team next season or they will loan him out, but he could be a very good option for Sunderland.
Leo Castledine – Chelsea
Leo Castledine is very highly-rated at Chelsea, making his senior debut in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, as well as bagging 19 goal contributions in 18 games in Premier League 2.
The 19-year-old has come under high praise from John Terry and could now be sent out on loan.