Club aiming to keep the Academy’s best talent
Kristjaan Speakman has again stressed Sunderland's determination to prevent the departure of the club's best academy talent.
The club's new executive regime has put the category one operation at the heart of its model for future success, with Speakman's track record in player development at Birmingham City key to his appointment as Sporting Director.
The executive team recently met with the Supporters' Collective at the latest structureddialoguemeeting,where Speakmanwasaskedaboutthe recently released accounts for the 2019-20 campaign, which highlighted the significant income drawn from the sale of players such as Joe Hugill, Logan Pye and Bali Mumba.
Speakman was asked what planswerebeingputinplaceto tackle that drain of talent and stressedthatitwashisresponsibility to prove to players and parents that Sunderland was the best place for their development.
The notes from the meeting read: "KS explained clubs runanacademytoprovideelite opportunity for local players, develop players for playing minutes on the pitch, and to create potential assets.
"There must be a strategy to retain players / parents, be a positive narrative about SAFC role in this and change the recent trend. Many local players wanttoplayfortheirlocalclub.
"Youth development has to be collaborative and inclusive. Theacademymustbetheright place for each player and playershavetobeabletoseeapathway to success.
"KS has the responsibility to lead a team capable of demonstrating to parents their child is valued by the club and that Sunderland is the right club for them."