Key Sunderland figure addresses multi-million Brighton bid for academy star

Sunderland might have sold Jack Clarke in the summer transfer window, but he was the only big name departure from the Stadium of Light. The winger got his deserved move to the Premier League with Ipswich Town after two strong years in the Championship. However, the likes of Dan Ballard, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and more still remain onboard on Wearside. Image courtesy of: LEE SMITH/REUTERS. It has helped them enjoy a fantastic start to the campaign to date, winning all four Championship games. It’s been former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Romaine Mundle to assume Clarke’s role on the left-hand side, but academy starlet Tommy Watson is seen as the long-term heir to the throne with many comparing him to the now departed star. Sunderland had to fend off late interest in Watson with reports of multiple bids coming in from Brighton late in the summer transfer window. It was said the last came in at over £2m. Now, Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has opened up on the rejected Premier League bids. As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, Speakman admitted that despite the money on offer, it was ‘really easy’ to resist the temptation to cash in on Watson. He spoke clearly about the path to the first-team for the teenager, though admitted it won’t be easy given the levels shown by the side recently. “Tommy is a young player that we have high hopes for,” the key Sunderland figure said. “He’s right on the fringes of the team, and we’re really hopefully that he can try to get some minutes this year, although it’s going to be more difficult than ever because the team is performing at a higher level than ever. “But he will be supported and we will keep trying to find those opportunities for him. “It’s flattering when Premier League clubs are making bids on your players. But is it an easy thing to decline? Yes, because that’s where the club’s at and that’s the position the club is adopting. “We’re in a really, strong healthy position where it’s not really a big topic of conversation because the type of value that you’re talking about [with the Watson bid], we value the players higher than that and believe in the players more. “For us, it’s really easy to be able to side-step those.” Sunderland certainly don’t hesitate in giving big chances to their top young players at first-team level. The elite prospects who come through their academy are regularly given chances to prove themselves on the senior stage and it seems likely that Watson will be the next to do so as he continues to stand out in academy football. The path to the senior team is a clear one that many have followed. The aforementioned Patterson and Neil are the biggest names to do so in recent years, but perhaps no one in recent times has boasted a ceiling quite as high as midfielder Chris Rigg. Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS. After nailing down a place in the squad last season, the teenager is now good value for a regular spot in the starting XI. Watson will be hoping to follow in those footsteps and announce himself when he does get the opportunity. As Speakman admitted himself, it’s not going to be easy for Watson to break into Regis Le Bris’ XI despite his clear ability. The French boss will not be prying to change a working formula at the Stadium of Light and amid Mundle’s eye-catching displays on the left, it seems that will be his place in the side to lose. Should the chance arise, Watson will be determined to take it, but there are other first-team players who could hold down that starting spot first. Summer signing Ian Poveda will be a contender while Jewison Bennette and Adil Aouchiche, who were tipped for loan exits, could offer a bit more senior experience in that area.