Sunderland’s youth academy is reeling off some fantastic players right now. Of course, Chris Rigg is the pick of the bunch.
Sunderland’s academy is starting to really make some waves in England, producing some top quality players like Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil, who’ve both had links to some top Premier League teams in 2024.
Patterson is wanted by Manchester United and could even move in January. Neil has been linked with Liverpool in the past and is currently captaining the Black Cats.
Right now though, Chris Rigg is stealing the headlines. Manchester United also have an interest in Rigg who’s been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs this season, including Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
It bodes well for Kristjaan Speakman and for the future of Sunderland. But Speakman may rue the loss of Mason Cotcher to Aston Villa during the summer, as he continues to shine for the Villains youth teams.
Mason Cotcher shines for Aston Villa after Sunderland exit
Cotcher rose through the Sunderland academy just like Patterson, Neil, and Rigg. But he decided against signing a professional contract at the Stadium of Light, playing his last academy game for the club in 2023 but securing a move to Aston Villa in 2024.
He trained with the first-team under Tony Mowbray but never made his first-team debut. Now though, he’s shining for Aston Villa having started this season with the U18s but now playing with the U21s.
The 18-year-old has particularly shone in the UEFA Youth League with Villa’s U19s, having scored three in three appearances in that competition.
He’s surely one on Unai Emery’s radar for a potential first-team appearance later this season, or potentially next season. For Sunderland, he’s one that got away.
Did Sunderland get any money for Mason Cotcher?
There was never any official report stating that Sunderland received X amount for Cotcher. But several reports confirmed that Sunderland were due some kind of compensation fee for the Englishman.
Still, that fee will be nothing compared to the fee that Cotcher could be worth now, if he had been given his chance in the Sunderland first-team.
Why he ever got that chance remains to be seen. But it’s clear from his success with Aston Villa that he’s someone who could’ve blossomed with Sunderland, who aren’t afraid to promote youngsters and give them their chance.
Speakman and Regis Le Bris must ensure that all Sunderland academy gems with first-team potential are given their chance, so as to avoid any repeats of the Cotcher scenario.