Sunderland have one player in the academy who has the potential to become a first-team regular.
This week, Sunderland confirmed the sale of Tommy Watson to Brighton. The deal is set to go through in the summer transfer window following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
Fans have said they want Watson dropped following the deal that saw Sunderland scoop up an eight-figure fee for the 18-year-old, since many see more benefit in developing the younger talents that will stay with the squad next season.
Michael Graham believes Milan Aleksic should be handed a chance in favour of Watson, but even going further into the academy set-up, it becomes abruptly clear that Sunderland have a wealth of talent to choose from as their next youngster to bring into first-team football. In fact, there is one 19-year-old who has already shown his worth and could certainly play a part in Regis Le Bris’ side in the future.
Sunderland have a suitable Tommy Watson replacement in Timur Tutierov
Several top talents find themselves in Sunderland’s academy, but one name that certainly stands out in attack is Timur Tutierov.
The Ukrainian 19-year-old talent suffered with injuries following his arrival in April 2023, but has since matured into a brilliant prospect on Wearside. With four goals, two of which coming against Man United and Arsenal U21s, in the Premier League 2, he can clearly stand out, even when brushing shoulders with the elite talents in the country.
Whilst he is yet to notch any minutes of first-team football, he has been named on Le Bris’ bench in one Championship clash early on in the 2024/25 season away at Portsmouth, and the youngster has already been in-and-around the senior players this-and-last season, as he said, per Roker Report in January 2024: “I am a U21 player. I am involved in training with the first team. I aspire to reach this level.”
As a player with a killer instinct in front of goal, as well as an ability to shift the ball with pace, he has the hallmarks to develop into someone who can make an impact at first-team level.
Kristjaan Speakman philosophy provides insurance that Timur Tutierov will be prioritised
Sunderland in recent years have placed such an emphasis on prioritising the development of younger players, and there is no doubt that taht has paid off spectacularly, as seen by the development of Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and Chris Rigg from the academy; even Watson, who, whilst Black Cats fans were only able to see very little of the winger, Kristjaan Speakman still managed to receive a hefty fee for his services.
It has been a brilliant method to keep the club sustainable, whilst also attracting the top youngsters to buy into such a model, and this in itself gives many the confidence that Tutierov will eventually be handed his chance to shine at first-team level.
Le Bris certainly won’t rush Tutierov into games, but the Frenchman will have the Ukrainian in the back of his mind as someone for the future.