Sunderland could have their next Clarke in a “phenomenal” ace

Sunderland fans would dread another season Championship it looked a lot like the demise of the last campaign, as the Black Cats’ inconsistencies once again got the better of them in such a ruthless division.

But the Wearside side – who head into a busy December fixture list – remain in and around top spot in the unpredictable league, with Regis Le Bris’ the appointment is doing wonders for the young and hungry parts of the Sunderland squad.

Even when results haven’t always gone their way, the young Championship promotion contenders have managed to come out the other side stronger for it, with a number of key players standing out so far.

Sunderland’s key players this season

It’s not just inexperienced heads who have excelled under Le Brice’s new managerial methods, with the likes of Patrick Roberts recently excelling when brought back into the XI against Stoke City.

Before beating the Potters at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were without a win in seven, but the 27-year-old right-back secured a 2-1 victory.

He would roll back the years with a bold display on the right channel, slashing upwards three successful dribblesin addition to assisting his side’s crucial winner late on.

Moving away from those important three points in isolation, both Luke O’Nien and Trey Hume have also shone as the more experienced members of the group throughout the season to date, while both Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg continue to flourish as rawer pieces still learning the ropes.

This direct finish by Riga against Leeds United in October was just one of the three shots made it in the league, despite being just 17 years old, while Bellingham – who is only two years his senior – has three assists next to his name in addition to three goals.

But there is another youngster starting to make waves in the senior mix away from those named, who could be Sunderland’s next Jack Clarke if he continues to acclimatise well to the first team lights.

Sunderland are the next Jack Clarke

There must be something in the water on Wearside when it comes to producing top youngsters through the club’s youth system, with Tom Watson next in line for greatness.

Le Bris has been forced to rely on the 18-year-old on the left wing in recent weeks with his squad looking pretty bare-bones, having withdrawn first-team regular Romaine Mundle in November with a serious hamstring problem. his options on the left seem exhausted.

This would be understandably frustrating for Le Briss to contend with, given that Mandle himself was under pressure to replace Clark’s live bore with an impressive four goals and two assists picked up from 16 level two skirmishes.

Without him, the Frenchman would have to think on his feet and has been rewarded for his boldness in bringing Watson into the first team more often, based on his stunning recent performance against Stoke alone.

Sam would lead his boyhood team to those crucial three points, with his first very reminiscent of Clarke in his prime when he donned the red and white of Sunderland, coolly slotting an effort past the Potters keeper after a quick dart forward.

Watson’s second delay would also have the Stadium of Light crowd in awe, with this remarkable display of EFL content creator Ryan Dilks even hailing the teenager as the second “phenomenal” ace from the Sunderland production line.

It will feel like a long time coming for Watson to finally explode into life in the first team, when we look at the insane numbers he has managed at youth level in the past.

Unfortunately for the Black Cats, they had to do without Watson in their last match at Swansea City, and it has now emerged that their home ace could be out until two months due to injury.

But – when he returns – he won’t want his stunning performance against Stoke to be just another memorable display as he aims to establish himself as a key piece of the puzzle under Le Bris in 2025.