Sunderland’s academy product, Ethan Robson is currently being monitored by Rangers FC, according to the Sun. The 21-year-old’s contract with the relegation riddled Black Cats is set to end in the summer and Rangers are looking to capitalize on the opportunity. The Scottish Premiership outfit will have to shell out only £150,000 for Robson as training compensation – a bargain for a player who is worth over £2m.
Robson started playing football with Fullwell Juniors before joining the Sunderland youth academy at just eight years old. He worked his way through the club ranks to sign a professional contract in 2013. The Houghton-le-Spring-born midfielder was highly regarded by the academy coaches who did not waste any time in promoting him to the U23 team from the U18s. He was even given the opportunity to train with the first team under Sam Allardyce.
Robson made his senior team debut in the club’s EFL League Cup defeat to Everton in September and played another 11 minutes in the Championship defeat to Cardiff City three days later.
He has been impressing for the second string side and has racked up 3 goals in 10 Premier League 2 appearances this season. He also earned a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month in November.
Primarily a midfielder by trade, Robson is a left-footed maestro whose greatest inspiration is Andres Iniesta himself. He was quoted, “I watch Iniesta a lot and look at what he does when he’s not on the ball to try and make space, and then I try and emulate what he does.”
He is capable of playing in the anchor position but also enjoys going forward whenever. Robson’s supreme technical abilities make him a threat from set pieces as well. He is a leader already and has been handed over the captain’s armband for the U23 side.
A young prospect who has the promise of future stardom for England might not be the best suited for playing in the League One – if Sunderland does get relegated a second time in a row at the end of this season. Chris Coleman is trying to save Sunderland’s campaign but after last night’s 0-2 loss to Ipswich Town, it might already be a lost cause.
Any professional will agree that in order to become the best you have to compete against the best and at 21 a player is at an age where he should be making the transition to regular senior team football – an opportunity he might receive at Rangers under Graeme Murty.
