Tammy Abraham scored goals for fun at Bristol City when moving to the Championship from Chelsea – Sunderland should attempt a similar deal in January.
Bristol City fans would not have had any idea what to expect from Tammy Abraham when he signed on a season-loan loan from Chelsea in the summer of 2016.
One year on, however, they could toast one of the most inspired transfer deals in the club’s history. Abraham had only made two senior appearances in his young career when arriving at Ashton Gate – but ended a stunning 2016/17 season with 23 goals in 41 Championship games.
It wasn’t just the number of the goals but the importance of them which made Abraham such a hero at Bristol City. Without his vast collection of tap ins, clinical finishes and clever deft flicks, The Robins might be a League One club right now. Instead, they are in the Championship’s play-off positions.
So with Sunderland crying out for a striker in January, and lacking the funds to make a marquee signing, they should consider taking a leaf out of Bristol City’s book and giving a young Premier League starlet the chance to prove his potential.
Someone like Oli McBurnie, perhaps.
The Swansea City starlet has only made eight substitute Premier League appearances for The Swans this season but it’s been a different story at Under-23 level. McBurnie, after winning the Premier League 2 Player of the Year award last season, has kicked on again this with a remarkable ten goals in seven games.
Clearly, it is time for McBurnie to step up. The Sun (3rd December, page 65) states that Aston Villa are interested but Sunderland must take a look.
If Abraham’s goals saved Bristol City from the drop, could another unproven, top flight superstar-in-waiting have the same impact on Wearside?
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