Three teenagers, one of them is 16 years old Sunderland should go up to the first team.
Sunderland’s youth academy is loaded with talent, but who are the three names who might make an impact this season?
Sunderland has emerged as a breeding ground for promising young players in recent years.
Tony Mowbray has a defined plan that he intends to pursue with a group of promising young players.
Several players have previously broken into the first team, including Jobe Bellingham, but there are many more on the verge of doing so after going through the academy.
The following are three Sunderland prospects who should be promoted for the remainder of the season.
Chris Rigg
The most apparent on the list, and one who has already dipped his toes into first-team play at the club, scoring in Sunderland’s 5-0 hammering of Southampton in the Championship.
Chris Rigg is a regular for England’s under-18 team and one of the country’s best young midfielders.
Rigg has already made his debut despite just turning 16 in June, but we believe he deserves more.
Given that he is clearly ready for the higher level, giving him first-team starts could be a means to maintain him despite interest from clubs such as Manchester United.
Tom Watson
Tom Watson is another youngster who has recently graduated from the Black Cats academy.
Watson has yet to play for the first team, but it is expected that he will because Mowbray has been watching him closely, according to The Sun.
Watson has joined Rigg in England’s under-18 squad, and despite his young age, many at the club believe he is a genuine talent.
With one goal and one assist in two youth league games this season (u18 and PL 2), we believe he is on the verge of earning a shot.
Jake Waters
Jake Waters, a 17-year-old forward, is third on the list. Waters was particularly productive in the u18 PL, scoring 14 goals and assisting five times in 27 games.
He is expected to be a physically dominating striker at 6’3 and has piqued the interest of Sunderland staff since signing his professional contract over the summer.
With Mason Burstow not firing on all cylinders, Waters should get another chance to impress Mowbray this season.
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