Sunderland’s ‘brilliant’ academy pathway plans revealed during FA Youth Cup success
The talent pipeline in Sunderland is growing, but what is the Academy of Light’s current game plan and how does it all operate?
After years of hardship in League One, Sunderland’s academy is starting to show results. The under-18 team just progressed to the FA Youth Cup’s fifth round with a victory over Gillingham.
One of the numerous issues brought about by the Black Cats’ second relegation from the Premier League to League One was the large-scale player exodus from Sunderland’s youth divisions, which were coached by Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven.
A lot of potential was wasted, and some wouldn’t have lasted even if the Wearsiders had made an effort to hold onto them when teams like Manchester United and Arsenal showed interest. At the time, though, there was no obvious route connecting the youth teams with the senior setup.
Sunderland’s youth policy is still strong under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, despite the fact that he has rightfully faced criticism in recent weeks over a number of issues. He has invested in structure, appointing individuals like athletic director Kristjaan Speakman and academy manager Robin Nicholls to assist in fine-tuning the club’s talent pipeline.
Here, Sunderland under-18 coach Fin Lynch discusses the team’s current youth strategy and its operational framework:
The ‘brilliant’ methodology at the Academy of Light
In sharp contrast to the Madrox period, Lynch characterizes the Academy of Light’s philosophy under Nicholls as a “brilliant” structure that prioritizes the needs of individuals. This might be an alluring option for players who may have turned down offers elsewhere.
Regarding Sunderland’s flexible approach to young development, Lynch states, “What we have done between the 18s and 21s is mix and match players.” Therefore, it’s not saying, ‘You’re 21 and that’s that.’ We consistently state that it is a personalized program. We’ll put him in the under-18s if we think it’s appropriate for him to play for the under-18 team. We shall act if we believe that 21s is the appropriate course of action at that particular moment.”
Lynch is also keen to highlight the teamwork at the Academy of Light, implying that player development plans are not as crucial as creating a positive environment, which may not have always existed under past ownerships.
As a staff, we all get along well with one another. We have excellent talks about the players’ progress, how they are doing, and how we will need to challenge them since we have mutual trust,” Lynch says.
How young players like Chris Rigg are handled by Sunderland
Chris Rigg is currently the face of Sunderland’s academy strategy. The 15-year-old midfielder earned his first team debut the previous season and has already scored twice this season, against Southampton in the Championship and Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.
The England youth international was persuaded to sign a two-year scholarship deal at Sunderland last summer amid serious transfer interest from just about every major club in Europe.
Despite his first-team success, however, Rigg often plays for Sunderland’s under-21s and under-18s side and played 90 minutes as the Black Cats defeated Middlesbrough in the prestigious FA Youth Cup at under-18 level in December, then playing again against Gillingham in the next round.
Continuing with the theme of challenging Sunderland’s young stars, Lynch adds: “For example with Riggy, we’re challenging Riggy at under-18s and saying that you have to be the best player on the pitch. So that is a different type of challenge for him from the first team, where he is coming on for the last 10 minutes to go and enjoy it.
“We’re saying to him with the under-18s that you need to go and show, same with Tommy Watson, you need to go and dominate that game, which you have seen they can do.”
How Sunderland retain as many young stars as possible
Sunderland also employs the strategy of making sure the parents of its players are informed and on board with regards to their sons and any pertinent plans that are made for them.
Lynch continues, “We constantly stress that we have to trust the process, and we do. We make sure that every parent understands what we are going to do for their son, and you can see that players are starting to show through now.
Playing for the 18s are under-15s. Riggy participating in the Youth Cup before returning to the first team and the 21s. We all like working in this wonderful setting, which is also excellent to be around.
How the pathway from the youth ranks to the first team works
The atmosphere at Sunderland has accelerated the ascent of Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson to first-team regular status; Elliot Embleton had made contributions prior to his injury. Since Sunderland’s return to the Championship, Ellis Taylor has made senior appearances in addition to the previously mentioned Rigg and Watson.
In fact, Matty Young, 16, traveled with Rigg to America on Sunderland’s preseason trip. In the summer, Trey Ogunsuyi, 17, and another goalie, Adam Richardson, 20, competed against South Shields and Gateshead. At Sunderland, there are currently prospects for advancement.
“The academy has a lot of good quality people,” Lynch continues. “We always talk about a pipeline for any young man coming through, even the under 9s, because Sunderland offers a clear pathway for everyone, not just those in the younger age groups.
“We want to make sure it carries over all the way from the first team to the under-9s.” And Chris Rigg is a shining example of that, as you have seen. He joined the squad at the under-9 level and progressed quickly, making appearances in and around the first team. Tommy Watson and I are exactly alike.
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