Slavisa Jokanovic has opened the door for Daniel Jebbison to join Sunderland on loan, telling the Star that Sheffield United simply have too many strikers.
Despite bursting onto the scene in May – becoming the youngest player ever to score on his full Premier League debut with the winner at Goodison Park – 18-year-old Jebbison won’t have it easy as he looks to build on his impressive start to life in the senior game.
The Canada-born England youth star was left out of the squad as Sheffield United began the new Championship season with a much-deserved 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday.
He played just 26 minutes during the midweek win against Carlisle in the Carabao Cup, with Rhian Brewster, Oli McBurnie, Billy Sharp and Lys Moussett seemingly ahead of Jebbison in Jokanovic’s pecking order.
Will Sunderland win the race for England U18 star Daniel Jebbison?
“You can see how many strikers I have in my team, and you can see how we tried to use them in different positions,” explained the former Fulham and Watford boss, who is looking to seal promotion from England’s second tier for the third time.
“Jebbois one of the important products from our academy. We believe he has to be on the field, which is the only reason we’re thinking about a situation of loaning him.
“He has the quality but he needs to play games and I don’t know if I have the space for him. I believe he can go on loan.”
Music to the ears of Sunderland.
League One rivals Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion are also interested in Jebbison, but the presence of Lee Johnson in the Black Cats dugout could give Sunderland an extra edge as they look to win the race for one of England’s most exciting teenage forwards.
Johnson, after all, is a proven developer of young talent – something that will not have gone unnoticed at Sheffield United.
Furthermore, after losing top scorer Charlie Wyke to Wigan, there is certainly room at the Stadium of Light for a new number nine; even if Ross Stewart has started the season very brightly indeed.
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