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Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson’s impending £10m transfer to Brighton was announced earlier this month, and there appears to be one clear winner in the deal at the moment.
Premier League Brighton have become recognised as some of the best footballing talent spotters in the world, seeming to have an ever-lasting rotation of supreme young talent off their conveyor belt.
In August, the Seagulls swooped for a second tier signature when they broke their club record to secure ex-Leeds United star Georginio Rutter’s services for £40million.
Earlier this month, news broke that Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson had agreed a deal to sign for Brighton at the end of the season, after the South Coast side had pushed to sign Watson throughout the January transfer window.
His performances since the £10million move was announced, most recently the 2-1 defeat to Bristol City, have seen Sunderland fans swarm social media to share their true feelings over the deal – they believe the Black Cats hierarchy will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Sunderland fans say Tommy Watson has ‘clocked out’ since Brighton transfer
The Championship has many stars who should be playing top flight football next term, but the Sunderland youngster is leagues apart from talents in the mold of Borga Sainz.
Watson’s transfer to Brighton raised eyebrows, given the 19-year-old has only made 14 first-team appearances for Sunderland this season, scoring twice in the same game against Stoke City.
The Academy of Light graduate had been dubbed the Jack Clarke successor, with his playstyle eerily similar to the now-Ipswich fringe player, but his actual offerings on the pitch had failed to live up to the lofty future expectations.
£10m fee banked for an unproven talent, in his first full season, who isn’t even a regular starter under Regis Le Bris? Lord Alan Sugar would not scoff at that deal.
What makes the Watson move even sweeter for Sunderland fans is the “dreadful” displays he has had since the move was confirmed. In the wake of the Bristol City defeat, the Black Cats faithful took to social media to make their feelings clear after the youngster’s latest anonymous display.
One fan said: “I think Watson has been dreadful again.”, as another replied: “He’s clocked out. Doesn’t look good.”
Another went on to claim: “He’s been absolutely horrendous as per usual. No energy or passion.”
“Completely disinterested” one fan argued, as another said: “Most overrated Sunderland youngster in history”.
Another fan added: “Can we just send Tommy Watson to Brighton now? He’s been a disgrace since the announcement. He’s downed tools.”
“£10 million for Tommy Watson is a brilliant piece of business for the club.” stated one fan after the Robins defeat.
Regis Le Bris must drop Tommy Watson for Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers
Sunderland will be without full-back Trai Hume after he was “harshly” sent off against Bristol City, an incident which reduced the game to a cagey affair.
Despite Eliezer Mayenda’s stunning solo goal, Sunderland could not stem the Bristol City tide, and Liam Manning’s side completed the comeback victory.
With Le Bris intent on resting key players on Monday, the Black Cats will likely field a rotated side against Blackburn, and one that should not see Watson start.
In his performance at Ashton Gate, Watson had the fewest touches (24) of any outfielder to play 90 minutes, had a 71% pass accuracy, lost seven duels, and won zero tackles in the process.
Sunderland supporters have argued Watson has “clocked out” since his Brighton move, despite the youngster being a boyhood Black Cats fan, and have made their feelings clear over the youngster’s performances of late.
The Black Cats were reduced to ten against the Robins, but Watson’s lifeless showing may as well have made it nine, and Le Bris can afford to carry passengers with Sunderland’s play-off destination only weeks away.