The future of Maja is a big deal, says Ross
CATS’ BOSS WANTS TO END UNCERTAINTY OVER JOSH
JACK Ross believes it is time to ‘bring to a head’ the uncertainty surrounding Josh Maja’s contract situaton.
The 19-year-old academy product is one of several young players in the final year of their contracts on Wearside, along with Lynden Gooch, Denver Hume and Reece James.
While the club is understood to be close to agreeing a new deal with Gooch, the Black Cats have been in talks with Maja’s representatives for months - but he has yet to commit his future to the club.
Maja’s 12 goals this season have caught the eye of admirers in the Championship and Premier League and that has led to transfer speculation.
If no new contract is agreed before January, the club will have to decide whether to cash in during the window or risk losing him in the summer for a compensation payment which would be well below his market value.
Ross said: “I do think, for everybody’s sake, we need to bring it to a head sooner rather than later. In my experience, the longer these situations drag on I don’t think there is any benefit to any of the parties involved.
“The talks have been ongoing and I think they have been much slower than the club would have liked.
“Speaking as a manager, I think clarity on these things is always better than uncertainty.
“My relationship with Josh has always been consistent, he knows that, and we communicate a lot.
“However, there is uncertainty not only for the club but also from his own point of view.
“Only he can tell you what he thinks in his own head but he will be aware of the speculation around him.
“As it stands, he might not be here longer than May - that would mean new surroundings, new teammates, a new house and all those things, which creates uncertainty in itself.
“There are elements of the conversation I don’t get involved in and neither does he, I should think, given the way football is.
“The communication we have is about his own career and progression and he speaks a lot to Potts (coach John Potter).
“The good thing is we have always been consistent in our approach with him.
“Nothing will deteriorate our relationship unless something disrespectful happens and he would never do that because of the type of lad he is.”
If Sunderland did decide to sell next month, it would also mean Ross would need to go in search of another striker to ensure Sunderand’s promotion campaign is not knocked off course.
Ross wants Maja to stay but says the situation must be resolved soon so that he can plan for the future.
He added: “It genuinely is not on my mind a lot, just because of the demands of the games, but I do think about it one, because it creates uncertainty, and two, because I have to be mindful of the business model of the club.
“I think Stewart (Donald, the Sunderland chairman) and Charlie (Methven, executive director) have always known I buy into that.
“It is very easy to be selfish as a manager but I want to be here longer than just one or two seasons and to help that I need to think about the bigger picture at times.
“That is why we need clarity - it helps me to plan and it helps the club to plan.”
One thing Ross can offer Maja is regular first-team football at Sunderland, the teenager having made 17 league starts so far.