Date: 29th August 2016 at 11:27am
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As a Sunderland fan, it can often be frustrating to see players from the academy do so well in the reserve league, yet never seemingly have a chance at the big time in the Premier League.

But this season, things seemed to have changed and various youngsters are getting a chance to showcase their skills, albeit due to numerous injuries to ten first-team players, but are they good enough for the Premier League?

I personally think it’s great that some of our young talent are getting a chance, but some are not so keen on the idea. In the first three games, it has been Sunderland’s own academy products that have impressed, more so than the young players we have brought in from elsewhere.

One of Sunderland’s stand out performers that has come from the youth system is American Lynden Gooch.

The 20-year-old has started all three games so far this season and looks like he could be a top player in the future. As well as looking good on the ball, Gooch also puts in a shift off the ball, which is something the Sunderland fans love. For these reasons, Gooch could be in and around the first-team for the majority of the 2016/17 campaign.

When you compare him to Paddy McNair, who signed from Manchester United this summer, you can see the American looks a far better player. However, that may be a harsh criticism of McNair as they are different types of player.

McNair’s start on Wearside hasn’t been an overly impressive one, although he has barely played an hour’s worth of football. He was brought on against Manchester City after 83 minutes and scored at the wrong end to hand the home side the win.

A week later, he started at home against Middlesbrough and had an absolute stinker. The utility player was pretty much none existent as he wandered aimlessly around the pitch and was hence substituted at half-time. The Northern Irishman really has to turn things around if he is going to live up to his potential.

12land - Paddy McNair of Northern Ireland - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Shoot’s Sunderland blogger, Josh, is not impressed with summer signing McNair – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The same goes for Donald Love, who arrived at the same time as McNair. Thankfully Sunderland signed Javier Manquillo on loan, which means Love is now second choice right-back, as he looked out of his depth in the opening two games.

It seems strange that Sunderland would sign a young right-back with very little experience when we have a similar player in Josh Robson in our own academy.

The final youngster we signed from Manchester United was Adnan Januzaj on loan. The highly rated youngster burst onto the scene at United under David Moyes and has now linked up with him again at Sunderland.

So far, he’s shown signs of quality. He’s confident on the ball and will take on any defender in front of him, but it is his final ball that lets him down. After taking on three of four players, he often hits the first man with his cross. If he can improve that aspect of his game, he will be a top player.

Jordan Pickford started in on Saturday, due to Vito Mannone’s long-term injury, and it was a real shame that he made a poor error for Southampton’s goal.

The 22-year-old had kept Sunderland in the game on several occasions and after taking the lead late on through a Jermain Defoe penalty, it was a shame this error came then. I for one am glad Pickford has got his chance as he does have real potential and his distribution is second to none.

gh :Adnan Januzaj of Sunderland.Photo: Mark Leech

Loanee Januzaj scored the only goal of the game against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup last week – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Duncan Watmore is another youngster who could go far in the game. Fans are quick to criticise the 22-year-old, but you have to remember he does not have a vast amount of Premier League experience. If the young winger could improve his decision-making, then he really could be one of Sunderland’s finest products.

The likes of Watmore, Pickford and Gooch could all become regular players for Sunderland but they have to be around more experienced players.

I suspect Januzaj will be a regular all season, but he must improve his final ball if he is to be back in the picture at Manchester United. As for McNair and Love, I think they are poor signings and won’t become stand out performers for in the Premier League.

 
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2 responses to “Are Sunderland’s youngsters good enough for the Premier League?”

  1. Bo Larsson says:

    For this two signings -McNair and Love – Moyes could have signed MVila instead so I must ask what Moyes know about football. Was the same at Manchester U. He only talks.

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