Cats linked with brave & cultured City defender - but who is Doyle?
The Black Cats have been linked with a deal for Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle – but who is the central defender?
The club have announced contract extensions for Aiden McGeady and Luke O’Nien as well as several signings for their youth team.
Those deals were strengthened by the arrivals of Alex Pritchard and Corry Evans, but now the club are said to be eyeing a deal for Doyle before the season gets underway.
But what do we know about the player? Here, we take a look:
Callum Doyle – fact file
Position: Central defender
Age: 17-years-old
Club: Manchester City Nationality: English
So what is the story with Callum Doyle and Sunderland?
Sunderland are said to be in talks to sign the youngster on a two-year loan deal.
Indeed, the player followed Sunderland’s official Instagram, as well as several of the club’s development squad.
And that has added fuel to the reports that the Black Cats are set to finalise a deal for the youngster.
What experience does Callum Doyle have?
Well, as expected, Doyle doesn’t have that much senior experience given his formative years.
The 17-year-old was a regular for both City’s Under-23 and Under-18 side’s last season.
Indeed, City managed to bag both Premier League 2 and Under-18 Premier League trophies in what was a memorable season.
Doyle has some senior experience in the Papa Johns Trophy.
The defender started
against League One club Lincoln City and made an appearance against Tranmere Rovers in the second round.
What else has been said about Callum Doyle?
Manchester City’s website describes the left-footer as a ‘brave’ and ‘cultured defender’.
The bio adds: “Callum signed for City in 2014 and has made huge progress in his time with the club, developing into a fine defender.
“A Manchester City scholar in 2020, Callum will be part of the Under-18s squad in 2020/21.”
That, however, looks like it could all change with Sunderland’s interest.
Meanwhile, talented Doyle has also been singled out for praise by the local media in Manchester.
In April as Manchester City lost 1-0 to Everton in the FA Youth Cup, the Manchester Evening News stated: “It was actually centre-back Callum Doyle who impressed the most.
"While was he able to keep Everton’s towering forwards Tom Cannon and Tyler Onyango largely quiet, it was his play on the ball that really caught the eye.
“Nearly every City move started with the defender either carrying the ball into midfield or clipping inchperfect cross-field balls to the winger on the opposite flank.
"It cut an impressive impersonation of Ruben Dias and showed that it isn’t just attacking starlets that the academy is producing,” it added about the defender.