Young Cats knocking on the door
As Sunderland head on into 2021, there is a renewed hope that the future of the club lies within the academy.
With Lee Johnson giving youth a chance, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman pledging to create a pathway into the first-team, the outlook looks bright for players coming through the ranks at the Academy of Light.
So which young players could find themselves with a chance to shine in 2021?
We take a look at five players to watch in the next 12 months…
JACK DIAMOND
The 20-year-old is already making a profound mark on the first-team and has quickly made an impression on Johnson.
Diamond’s performance at Swindon Town last month was an impressive one and he clearly adds a different dimension to this Sunderland side.
Johnson has already noted that pace and power are two attributes that are lacking in the squad as a whole, but they are two key elements of Diamond’s game.
For that reason, it will be little surprise should the youngster continue his run in the first-team fold in the coming weeks and months, and given there are still elements of his game that can be improved, there should be some real excitement over what Diamond can bring to the side in the long-term.
DAN NEIL
Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of 2020 is that we haven’t had the chance to see more of Dan Neil.
But there should be hope that a place can be found for Neil in the first-team fold in 2021.
His performances over the summer provided a welcome boost and there has been nothing thus far to suggest that he couldn’t perform in the third tier.
Here’s hoping his progression continues into the new year and that further chances are forthcoming.
BENJI KIMPIOKA
After the will-he-won’t-he saga of the summer, Kimpioka hit the ground running upon his eventual return to Wearside.
It was a shame, therefore, that a hamstring injury curtailed his progress towards the end of the year.
With hopes that the young Swede can return to training early in 2021, it will be interesting to watch his progress as the year progresses.
He has attributes that Johnson may well find appealing given his desire for pace and power in the forward areas, and if he can rediscover his pre-injury form there is every reason to believe he’ll be knocking on the door of the first-team.
MITCH CURRY
In Kimpioka’s absence, Curry has taken up the mantle in front of goal.
He’s been in fine form in recent weeks and that won’t have gone unnoticed by those in the first-team fold.
While the ex-Middlesbrough youngster may have some work to do to displace the senior options currently battling to lead the line in the first-team, who knows what 2021 could hold?
OLIVER YOUNGER
Younger was highly-regarded by Phil Parkinson and, having returned from an injury, will now look to make a similar impression on Johnson.
Competition for the two central defensive spots is rife but Younger could yet emerge as a contender if his performances so far this term are anything to go by.