Chris Coleman comments on Josh Maja’s future at Sunderland

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Josh Maja scored Sunderland’s only goal as they beat Fulham 1-0.

Chris Coleman has told the Chronicle that Sunderland striker Josh Maja could have an extremely bright future, but he will have to work hard.

Maja was Sunderland’s hero at the weekend, as he came off the substitutes’ bench to score the winner against Fulham.

The youngster took his goal brilliantly, as he got the ball out of his feet before finishing well from close range.

Maja’s display has caused great excitement about his talents at the Stadium of Light, but Coleman was quick to keep the prospect’s feet on the ground after the match.

“What is his future? I can’t tell you his future,” Coleman said. “All I know is what I see and right now he has good movement, knows where the goal is and he has had injuries but had a good pre-season.

“Him and Joel have a lot of hard work to do. The signs are good, good movement, great first touch and the finish was sublime as well. His future will be what he wants it to be.”

Coleman showed great bravery to bring Maja on against Fulham, as he withdrew more senior options.

The Welsh boss brought in Maja and Joel Asoro for James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban, and his faith in youth was rewarded almost immediately.

Sunderland’s victory over Fulham was their first in front of their own fans throughout the whole of 2017.

Sunderland are now out of the Championship’s relegation zone, with their next match coming against struggling Birmingham City.