New signing is ‘win-win’ move for all parties
JAKE Clarke-Salter’s move to Sunderland is a win-win situation for both player and club, according to former Black Cats striker Marcus Stewart, who worked with the youngster at Bristol Rovers.
The 20-year-old Chelsea defender joined Sunderland on loan this week until the end of the season and he could make his debut tomorrow when the Wearsiders take on Cardiff City in South Wales. Clarke-Salter has made a couple of appearances for Chelsea already, but the majority of his first team outings came during a loan spell at Rovers last season.
“Jake is a very talented young lad and he’s got a great opportunity now to play at Championship level with Sunderland,” said Stewart, who spent three years as a player at Sunderland and is now assistant manager at Rovers.
“He came to us last season from Chelsea and it was a big step to go from playing mainly U23 football to playing in the first-team in League One, where the style of play is very different and the physical demands are a lot tougher.
“But he handled it well and you could see he that he has great potential as a footballing centreback, he has all the physical attributes, and he is someone who can see a pass.
“He was unlucky in his time with us because he broke his arm which kept him out for while and that meant he didn’t play as many games as he would have done.
“He is a year older now and I think he will be 10 per cent wiser and 10 per cent stronger now than when he was with us.
“I have to say as well that as a young player coming from a massive club like Chelsea, he was very respectful of our club. We don’t have the kind of infrastructure that Chelsea have but Jake was very professional, he rolled his sleeves up and fitted straight in.
“I think Sunderland have got a very good player and it is a chance for Jake to follow on from winning the U20 World Cup with England by making his mark in the Championship.”