Tony Pulis, a former Stoke City and Middlesbrough manager, says there is no reason why one current Sunderland player cannot succeed in the Premier League.
The 66-year-old has been out of work since leaving Sheffield Wednesday in December 2020, but has kept an eye on the top two categories of English football. Pulis is a big fan of Black Cats star Jack Clarke, having seen him play for Leeds United and Sunderland – and the veteran manager has talked about what could happen next as the former Tottenham Hotspur player is linked with a move away from Wearside.
He stated, “I watched him at Leeds United, and I believe he is now more mature and stronger.” He will have a bright future, but I’m not sure if Sunderland will want to move him to a Premier League club this summer. “I don’t see why he can’t play in the Premier League; he’s a promising and exciting player.”
Black Cats’ coach confirms contract discussions.
Sunderland Under-21s coach Graeme Murty has revealed that many Black Cats prospects are already aware of important decisions about their future at the Academy of Light.
Michael Spellman, Connor Pye, and Joe Ryder have all spent time on loan at non-league clubs in the North East during the last 18 months, but they are among a handful of players who are nearing the end of their current contracts.
When asked about contract talks and the club’s current situation, Murty informed the Echo that “most decisions have been made and conveyed to the players.”
If the January transfer window had gone differently, Amad Diallo could have been wearing Sunderland’s red and white for the next ten days.
Instead, the former Black Cats loanee appears to have a golden opportunity to impress Premier League heavyweights Manchester United before the end of the season. Diallo scored 14 goals and four assists in 42 Sunderland appearances last season, and there was conjecture that he could return for the second half of the current season.
However, he has remained at Old Trafford, making six appearances for the Red Devils in recent months. As his team prepares for Wednesday night’s home game against Sheffield United, Erik ten Hag admits Diallo deserves another chance to impress.
Ten Hag added, “Amad deserves it, but don’t forget he was sidelined for a long time this season, so we rebuilt him, and now he’s had some opportunities and made a significant impact. He played at a position that was not his best fit.”