Timur Tutierov’s Sunderland future examined: What’s next for on-loan Exeter star?
Timur Tutierov is one of Sunderland’s most promising academy stars.
From the likes of Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson to Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil, the Black Cats have had several players make the step up from the Academy of Light over the last few years.
And the pathway to the first team is unlikely to stop there, with a whole host of promising youngsters still looking to make their way on Wearside, including Tutierov.
The 20-year-old joined Exeter City on loan in January, where he has since impressed. But what comes next for the Ukrainian forward?
How has Timur Tutierov fared in League One?
Tutierov has started three of the eight League One games he has appeared in for Exeter this season, with two goals to his name.
The 20-year-old scored in both of his first two appearances against Stevenage and Port Vale, having come on as a substitute on both occasions.
It may not seem like a record that screams quality, but his underlying numbers from his loan spell are certainly promising, with an 80.3 per cent pass completion rate as well as a 50 per cent dribble success rate.
His link-up play and his ability to get at defenders have been on display for Sunderland’s Under-21s on several occasions over the last 12 months, and have even earned him plenty of praise from Exeter boss, Gary Caldwell.
At the start of February, he said via BBC Sport: “He’s a young player with a huge future. He’s scored two goals already and had our most dangerous actions.
“He gives us something, and he can be happy with his performance, but that final outcome, he has to keep working on and make it better.
“If he does, I keep telling him I think he’s got the potential to be a top, top player.”
What is the next step for Tutierov at Sunderland?
Upon the conclusion of his loan at Exeter, Tutierov will have one year left on his contract at Sunderland.
And with the Black Cats all but nailed on to be in the Premier League again, it’s unlikely that he will have any role to play at the Stadium of Light.
But at 20 years old, he still has plenty of room for development, and so long as he is able to maintain his form in League One, a move to the bottom half of the Championship could occur in the summer.
That would allow him to develop the physical side of his game, as well as come to terms with the increase in quality that the Championship brings in comparison to League One.
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