According to a report from Sunderland Echo, Sunderland are taking an ‘extended look’ at West Bromwich Albion winger Stan Asomugha. The 19-year-old has been on trial with Sunderland’s u-23 side. Asomugha has featured for West Brom in the Premier League 2 this season and has bagged two goals.
Sunderland’s coach gives an update on Asomugha’s trial
The winger has already featured for Sunderland u-23 side, and he is expected to have an extended stay at the Stadium of Light. It seems like the winger has managed to impress the coaches.
The club’s u-23 boss Elliott Dickman appears to be happy with the player and said, “Stan and Tyler Frost both played against West Ham, and they were smashing, Tyler has played two games now, but Stan’s situation is slightly different, and he could be involved on Tuesday night. He’s going to stay up a little bit longer.”
Sunderland’s struggling u-23 side
Asomugha has come up from West Brom’s academy, and it seems the winger has done quite a few things right on his trial with Sunderland. However, Sunderland’s u-23 standards will definitely be questioned as they are currently bottom of the Premier League 2 table in division 2. The Black Cats developmental side have lost 16 of their 17 games in the Premier League two, drawing only one. They have conceded a whopping 50 goals in that time, and have won just one game in the past calendar year. It is fair to say that the standards of Sunderland’s u-23 team aren’t too high.
Asomugha was part of the West Brom team which played in the FA Youth Cup semi-final last season. Hence, this would be seen as a significant coup by Black Cats if they get a talent of Asomugha’s calibre at their disposal.
Where can Asomugha play?
The English youngster is primarily a right-winger, but he can play on the left as well. He has even been tried as a centre forward in some of the games for the Baggies. Given Sunderland’s situation in the Premier League 2 Division 2, almost anyone would be an upgrade for them.
It remains to be seen whether Asomugha would choose to move to Sunderland or not. Maybe the lure of playing regular football could go in Sunderland’s favour. Asomugha’s record for the u-18 West Brom side was impressive as he managed five goals and five assists in 19 appearances.
He has found it hard to be a regular at the u-23 level with the Baggies and hence, he is looking to prove his worth at other clubs. It remains to be seen in the summer whether Sunderland would offer the winger a chance to move permanently or not.
