In a season of very little cheer, Sunderland's Under-21s were a bright spark as they reached the Premier League 2 Final.
Graeme Murty's swashbuckling side were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the final- who had finished top of the division, prior to the play-off split. To go from Division 1 strugglers, to the runners-up in the competition after the merging of both development divisions, is quite the feat.
While the search for a new head coach passes another unwelcome milestone, it's worth pointing out the Black Cats' academy has gone from strength to strength since investment into the infrastructure by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, with Chris Rigg the latest diamond in the rough breaking into the first-team.
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The Sunderland owner has his flaws, but the year on year improvement of the academy deserves praise, other off the field matters have been well discussed on various other We Are Sunderland articles. The academy's performance last season does not excuse the current mess we find ourselves in, nor should it be diminished.
For the premise of this article, we'll be focussing on the current crop of players looking to make their mark on the first-team this summer.
Sunderland have a real plethora of talent at their disposal, with the new head coach - whoever that may be - needing a background in youth development to align with Louis-Dreyfus' Black Cats' blueprint.
It's fair to say Rigg established himself as a first-teamer towards the end of last season, and keeping him at the club should be a focal point this summer. But, who else impressed for the Under-21s?
Tommy Watson
Like Rigg, Tommy Watson is a name that's been on the lips of many Sunderland supporters over the last two seasons. He signed a three-year contract with the Black Cats in 2023, highly rated, but a hamstring injury would hamper his start to the season.
Dubbed a 'Jack Clarke regen', for his running style, the way he carries the ball and the ease at which he beats his man, he was one of, if not the standout performer towards the end of the U21s campaign. So much so, he was given a substitute appearance off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.
The Black Cats are expecting interest in the youngster this summer, with a loan move away from Wearside a possibility as they look to further his development.
He's one who'll be keen to impress a new head coach and show he's ready to make an impact on the first-team set-up this season, rather than elsewhere.
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Adam Richardson
Sunderland goalkeeper Adam Richardson has had some rotten luck over the past year or so with injuries, having been in contention to travel with the first-team squad to America this time last year.
He came back into the Under-21s fold after recovering from injury and showcased some brilliant performances to justify last summer's hype.
Like Watson, he signed a three-year deal in the summer of 2023 and at 6ft6, is a giant figure in between the sticks. He pulled off a number of penalty saves for Murty's men on their route to the final.
Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he's had it drilled into him to play out from the back and has a cool head under pressure.
Sunderland's goalkeeping department is one to keep an eye on this summer given Alex Bass' recent departure.
Harrison Jones
The stand in captain of Sunderland U21s during Ellis Taylor's absence, Harrison Jones is reportedly in talks over a new deal having been a standout performer this season.
The club took up the option in his contract for a further year, extending his stay through to 2024.
Having been named on the bench towards the end of last season, Jones is hoping to kick on next season and expect him to be given an opportunity to impress.
"The more minutes you can get with them you feel more confident and identify what they’re good at and what I need to improve at," Jones said as he outlined his hopes for next year. "For me, physically I’m probably not at their standard yet.
"They’re more explosive than me, which is something I need to work on. The end goal is to get to the next level in the first team which Tommy [Watson] has been able to do this year and that’s great for him. All the team want that."
Oli Bainbridge
The Black Cats are well stocked when it comes to left-back options, and they still have the option to make Callum Styles' move to the Stadium of Light a permanent one, after his recent loan spell.
That being said, Oli Bainbridge was 'Mr. Consistent' for the Under-21s. His rampaging runs from left-back providing an outlet down the flank, striking up a good rapport with Tommy Watson.
He signed a contract with the club until 2025, with Sunderland having the option of a further season. His displays this season have caught the eye of Premier League outfit Everton, and it would be a mistake if Sunderland didn't give him a first-team opportunity this summer.
The Black Cats have shown there can be a pathway into the first-team for players like Rigg and Watson, but they're yet to hand youngsters opportunities at the other end of the pitch.
READ MORE: Will Chris Rigg stay at Sunderland now he can sign pro deal?
Matty Young
As previously mentioned, Sunderland's goalkeeping department is well stocked with talent, but the noise has been all about Matty Young this summer.
Following in the footsteps of Jordan Pickford, joining Darlington on loan, the England youth international has had rave reviews from his time with the Quakers.
A number of EFL and National League clubs are keen on signing the 17-year-old, whose performances are well beyond his years.
Mike Dodds was left hugely impressed by his progress and said: “Can Matty (Young) come back and challenge for a first-team goalkeeping spot next season? Yeah, why not?
“Chris Rigg is a first-year scholar, and I’ve played him against Southampton, Leicester and Leeds this season. I know people might say that the goalkeeping position is a bit different, but the ball is always in the player’s court.
"If he comes back and is unbelievable, then one thing that this football club has shown is that under this model and this ownership, they will give young players opportunities and will not be scared of that.
“If he comes back, and he’s better than the current number one, whether that be Patto (Anthony Patterson) or whoever, then he’ll get an opportunity to play. If that opportunity is not there, then maybe it’ll be a case of looking at another loan.
“I understand the argument that goalkeepers can be hard debuts to give just because of the nature of the position or the pitch. But if you’re asking me from a personal perspective, then if I felt Matty was ready, psychologically and mentally to play at the Stadium of Light as a 17-year-old or 18-year-old, I wouldn’t have any qualms at all about playing him.
“The ball’s in his court. It depends on how good he is when he comes back in the summer, but he’s a wonderful player, and I think Matty Young has got a real chance. I think he could go all the way to the top, but like all young players, that’ll ultimately be dependent on how he manages his head.”
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Caden Kelly
Like Richardson, 20-year-old Caden Kelly is among the older Sunderland players on this list. Having already made his first-team bow in the Carabao Cup under Alex Neil in the 2022/23 season, but has spent the majority of his career in red and white with the U21s.
Last season felt like a bit of a breakthrough for the attacking midfielder, taking games by the scruff of the neck as Murty's men made the final. The youngster has already been linked with a loan move to National League side Halifax Town, while Notts County have also been linked with a loan move this summer.
It feels like a make or break summer for Kelly, if he can impress a new head coach, there's no reason he can't be handed an opportunity on the right-hand side of Sunderland's attack. Capable of playing on either flank, and in midfield, he's good with the ball at his feet and not shy of a spectacular strike.
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