Manchester City line up Sunderland rising star as they face Etihad exit of their own
The Academy of Light has been home to many incredible talents over the years.
Chris Rigg’s emergence into the Sunderland team has shown how well the pathways of youth players have been planned out.
Anthony Patterson, Jordan Pickford, Dan Neil and Tom Watson are also other examples of players who’ve risen through the ranks at the Stadium of Light in recent years and broken into the first team.
Some of the youngsters may feel that Regis Le Bris’ summer business closed the door on their progression to the first-team but Rigg, Patterson and Neil were all on the bench on Saturday as Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
However, some may have to find moves elsewhere in order to continue their development, either on loan or by seeking permanent deals.
Sunderland talent Matt Young primed for Man City move
A series of events could lead to Matt Young leaving Sunderland, with the goalkeeper now being linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light.
Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that Young could move to Manchester City if their own young prospect leaves the Etihad.
Man City goalkeeper Josh Whatmuff is thriving on loan at Rochdale, and with Brentford planning to sign him, this could spur Young to join Man City as a result.
Young’s career so far:
- Featured in 14 matches out on loan at Darlington in 2023-24
- Since 2024-25, he’s played 29 games for Salford, with his loan spell going exactly to plan
- Young has kept two clean sheets for Salford, with the side currently sitting third in the League Two table
The 18-year-old goalkeeper is developing at an exciting pace, and Sunderland will face a real battle to keep him on their books.
Young signed a contract extension in November 2024 that would keep him at the club until 2028.
On Saturday, Young saved a Bradley Dack penalty to help Salford secure a 2-1 away win over Gillingham.
Young’s performances have certainly caught the eye, with Florent Ghisolfi and Kristjaan Speakman deserving praise for how they’ve overseen the development of some of the academy’s brightest prospects.
- Read more: ‘Unbelievable’ – Everything Michael Carrick said about Sunderland on MOTD after win vs Chelsea
Kristjaan Speakman and Florent Ghisolfi overseeing a brilliant process at Sunderland
Sunderland fans were initially angry at Young’s loan move, yet due to their brilliant start to life in the top flight, it’s clear that the supporters are gaining more faith in Speakman and Ghisolfi every week.
Speakman became the Sunderland sporting director in 2020, whilst Ghisolfi joined in July 2025.
Since Speakman’s arrival, the Black Cats have gone from League One to the Premier League in less than five years.
Sunderland are sat second in the Premier League table, whilst the performances of their players out on loan shows that there is a plan laid out to get the best out of every player that comes through the academy.
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