Kelly: Murts and Jonny have transformed U21s
Sunderland midfielder Caden Kelly says academy coaches Graeme Murty and John Hewitson have transformed the Under21s side - guiding them to the semi-finals of Premier League 2.
The young Black Cats are preparing to face
Reading in the last four of the competition, following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United in the quarter-finals. After competing in Division 2 last season, Sunderland have adapted well to the new Premier League 2 format, which placed 26 teams with category one academies into one division.
Sunderland finished seventh in the table, ensuring they reached the knockout stages, before overcoming Wolves and West Ham, coming from behind three times to draw 3-3 against the Hammers and winning on penalties.
“It was one for the neutrals,” Kelly, who scored Sunderland’s second goal against West Ham, said.
“It was a great game, back and forth. I think we gave ourselves a bit of a hard time going down and coming back but we kept going to the end.
“The lads, we just fight until the end. We stick together. Don’t get me wrong, we get on each others’ backs during the game but we know we are going to fight for each other until the end.”
Murty took charge of Sunderland’s Under-21s side in October 2022, while assistant Under-21s coach Hewitson stepped up after leading the Under-18s group. Asked how much the team has improved this season, Kelly, who is into his third season with the Under21s side, replied: “It’s been massive. You can’t fault what Murts has done, and John, they’ve come in and been great. They’ve made us a completely different team.”
Kelly missed the first half of this season with a hamstring injury but has been in impressive form since his return, scoring three goals and providing eight assists in 12 Under-21s appearances.
The 20-year-old was also named in the Black Cats’ senior squad six times during the 2023/24 campaign, yet his contract is set to expire this summer. Sunderland’s Under-21s players have been told whether or not they will be offered new deals, with the club’s retained list yet to be announced.
*Amad Diallo namedropped Sunderland after Manchester United’s win against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Kobbie Mainoo, assisted by Amad, scored the only goal of the first half to put the hosts ahead before Anthony Gordon drew Newcastle level early into the second half. Amad quickly restored Manchester United’s advantage before Rasmus Hojlund made it 3-1 in the closing stages. Lewis Hall then grabbed a second for Newcastle to make it 3-2 in stoppage time.
After Manchester United had secured their muchneeded win over Newcastle, Diallo spoke to the media alongside former Sunderland pair Steve Bruce and Danny Simpson. During the interview, Amad joked: “I scored for Sunderland too.”