Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has done a lot of good this summer. But he may have made one mistake.
Sunderland enjoyed a prolific end to the summer transfer window, signing four new players on deadline day.
Regis Le Bris has also guided the Black Cats to an unprecedentedly strong start to the new campaign with his Sunderland side sitting in 2nd place of the Championship table after a 1-0 win vs Middlesbrough last weekend.
Chris Rigg scored the goal and has since taken all the headlines. After previous links to Real Madrid, it’s now reported that Manchester United could make a January swoop for Rigg, in a bid to beat Newcastle United to the signing.
He’s the latest name from the Sunderland academy to make an impact in the first-team. But one who’s having to be extra patient to get his chance is winger Tom Watson.
Regis Le Bris speaks out on Tom Watson minutes at Sunderland
Watson has been training with the Sunderland first-team this season, after seemingly growing out of youth football after his impressive 2023/24 season.
The 18-year-old has featured on the bench in the last four Championship games for the Black Cats. But he’s yet to play a single minute of Championship football this season.
Largely owing to the impressive form of Romaine Mundle, Watson is currently out of starting contention at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking out on his situation, Le Bris told Sunderland Echo: “Romaine waited for his opportunities behind Jack Clarke, so it’s like that.
“We don’t know when this door will be open but you need to work behind the scenes so you are ready for this moment.
“I think Tommy is working hard, he’s now close to the professional team and he has good potential. He needs to wait, learn from these experiences even if they are on the bench.”
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Kristjaan Speakman has made key Tom Watson blunder
On deadline day, Brighton made a move for Watson which was quickly rebuffed, with reports since then claiming that Brighton have retained their interest and could move again soon.
He’s highly-rated by all, but unable to even get off the bench for Sunderland. Le Bris compares his situation to Mundle’s last season, but Mundle was able to get off the bench and make a handful of starts.
For Watson, a loan move to the lower leagues might have been his best bet. Le Bris has the likes of Nazariy Rusyn, Jewison Bennette, Abdoullah Ba, and now Wilson Isidor to play back up to that left-sided position, leaving Watson as one of many vying for the spot.
And not playing as much U21s football means that Watson isn’t playing very much at all. Kristjaan Speakman and the club may now be ruing not sending Watson out on loan and the player himself may be getting concerned about his lack of game time.
It’s clear that he remains a part of the club’s plans. But right now, Watson’s development is surely being hindered.