Sunderland winger Tommy Watson was absent from the U21s’ Premier League International Cup match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday due to his involvement with the first team under manager Regis Le Bris.
Watson has been in excellent form for Graeme Murty’s U21 side, scoring two goals and providing one assist in the first three Premier League 2 fixtures this season. With the departure of star player Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town, the 18-year-old has become a regular part of the Black Cats’ matchday squad in the Championship, though he has yet to see any playing time.
Despite this, Watson remains actively engaged in first team training sessions, leading to his omission from Murty’s lineup due to scheduling conflicts.
After last week’s 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao, U21 coach Murty praised Watson’s performance, especially in light of reported interest from Premier League club Brighton. He stated, “He’s been outstanding and is a pleasure to work with. He comes in every day, works hard, and is eager to improve. None of this speculation has affected him.”
Murty added that Watson has remained focused and consistent, expressing optimism about his potential: “We believe there’s more to come from him, and that’s the exciting part for us.”
