Sunderland academy manager makes ‘essential’ claim regarding youth pathway
Sunderland academy manager Robin Nicholls has claimed that it is “essential” for clubs in the North East to have a core of homegrown talent.
When it comes to meeting that criteria, there are few better clubs at it than Sunderland across England’s top four divisions.
Sunderland have demonstrated their approach to youth consistently, one of the reasons why Nicholls made the switch from Southampton to Wearside in 2022.
In an interview with the Telegraph (15 October), Nicholls said: “I wanted to be at a club that had a real emphasis on youth development. I wanted to be part of somewhere, where young players were going to get a real opportunity to play first-team games. Believe it or not, it is a hard thing to find in the academy space to be in a place where young players are actually going to be given an opportunity.
“I think it is particularly important in this part of the country to have that core of homegrown players who are from the local area and understand football and what it means to people in this region. I would go as far as to say it is essential.
“We’ve got quite a few in the first team already. At this stage of the season, we are looking at around 24% of the total minutes played in the first team played by academy graduates. That changes from game to game, but with Dan Neil, (Chris) Rigg, (Anthony) Patterson established, that will be among the highest in the Championship.”
Sunderland approach to youth is essential for attracting talent
One thing Sunderland have done very well recently is recruiting youth talent with a high ceiling.
To do this, you need to demonstrate that the club have the right procedures in place to support their development from minute one.
Eliezer Mayenda is a good example of a young player who was brought in and managed before breaking into the first team this season. Players often need time to settle and Sunderland allow that.
Their approach stretches beyond international incomings, however, and covers the academy as well. Aside from those mentioned, the likes of Tommy Watson and Harrison Jones are other young players who have been shown where hard work and determination can get you.
While development is important, the club need to, and have, demonstrated that they won’t let themselves get in the way of a player’s future ambitions. As seen by the summer departure of Jack Clarke who was allowed to leave the club to pursue a career in the Premier League.
Both factors are key to Sunderland’s youth-orientated approach being a successful one.
In other Sunderland news, Kristjaan Speakman says the word “model” needs banning at Sunderland as he sought to explain the club’s long-term strategy
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