The Sunderland squad is already full of exciting, young talent, and they’ve taken the Black Cats to the top of the table, but there may be another teenage star ready to explode at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are flying this season, and one-third of the way through the campaign, they are top of the table, albeit on goal difference.
Regis Le Bris has done a fantastic job of getting the best out of his Sunderland squad, proving you can succeed with youngsters.
17-year-old Chris Rigg is evidence of that, with the Sunderland Academy star bursting onto the scene this season, and chipping in with three goals already.
Rigg is being watched by a number of Premier League clubs, but fear not, Sunderland fans, as the club already has another hot prospect coming off the conveyor belt at the Academy of Light.
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Trey Ogunsuyi is on fire for the Sunderland Academy
17-year-old striker, Trey Ogunsuyi, is firing in the goals for the Sunderland youth team this season, and is catching the eye of his first-team manager.
Ogunsuyi was in fine form for the Black Cats youth side on Tuesday night, firing two goals in a big win over Tamworth in the National League Cup, taking his tally for the season to eight goals.
The promising young striker has made the step up to the Under-21 team with ease this year, and does not look out of place despite playing with players up to four years his senior.
Ogunsuyi has already been praised by his current boss, Graeme Murty, who told WeAreSunderland that the young Belgian star has “improved immeasurably” since joining up with the older group, and that “he’s using his body an awful lot better.”
The teenager has also been commended for his “understanding” of the demands of his role at this level, and his bravery in battling for the ball and making things happen in dangerous areas.
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Regis Le Bris rates Trey Ogunsuyi highly
It’s not just the Under-21 coach who has been paying close attention to Ogunsuyi, though. First-team manager, Regis Le Bris, has already talked about the young striker and how impressed he has been.
Discussing Ogunsuyi with the Northern Echo back in September, Le Bris described the youth prospect as a “very interesting player for the future”.
Ogunsuyi has featured on the bench for the senior squad twice this term, against Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough, and it is now surely only a matter of time before he gets to make his debut.
There is no doubt that Ogunsuyi will have to be patient, especially as Sunderland are performing so well at the moment, but if he keeps doing what he’s doing, Le Bris will almost certainly reward him before the season is over.
Chris Rigg has already proven that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, at least in Le Bris’ opinion, and Ogunsuyi is highly likely to follow in his footsteps next.