Benjamin Kimpioka has made just four League One appearances for the Black Cats but does he have a future at the Stadium of Light?
Sunderland manager Jack Ross has reminded contract rebel Benjamin Kimpioka that he has not achieved anything yet in the professional game as the youngster continues to deliberate over his future at the Stadium of Light, as reported by the Chronicle.
The likes of Josh Maja, Denver Hume and George Honeyman have risen through the ranks to become useful first-team players on Wearside in recent years and Kimpioka has all the talent to follow in their footsteps.
But, after making just four league appearances in Sunderland colours, the Sweden U21 international has been frozen out of Ross’s plans with the Black Cats struggling to tie down a youngster who is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Agent Martin Kettle set out is his stall over the weekend, making it clear that Kimpioka would only ink a deal if he was promised a key role under the former St Mirren boss.
“Benjamin would sign a new contract to play for the first team, not to stay additional years in the reserves or to be loaned out to another club, since it is in Sunderland he would want to play.”
And Ross, while managing to avoid boiling over in response to Kettle’s comments, has hit back.
“It’s straightforward for me. The truth is that Benji has been offered a contract – a good contract – and to date he has chosen not to sign it,” the manager said.
“I would like Benji to stay at the club, I think he has potential, the club has offered him a good contract, we feel, for a player that to date has some potential but has not achieved anything in his career so far.”
Ouch. You barely need to read between the lines to figure out that Ross is getting a little tired with a situation which is starting to become increasingly unseemly.
And he’s got a point. Kimpioka could be a fine addition to Sunderland’s squad in the near future but this proud old club should not be bent over a barrel by the demands of a teenager with a handful of senior appearances to his name.
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