Chris Coleman believes seeing an Academy graduate blossom in the first team is more rewarding than spending millions in the transfer market.
Splashing out on signings is not an option for Coleman, with Sunderland’s financial woes leaving him with a transfer budget of close to zero this month.
So with injuries and a suspension having depleted an already threadbare squad, Coleman put his faith in youth at the weekend as he handed Joel Asoro and Ethan Robson their first League starts, while Maja started for only the third time in the Championship.
And they repaid him with very promising performances, capped by Asoro scoring the goal that earned his side all three points in the crucial relegation clash against Hull City at the Stadium of Light.
Coleman knows supporters are always keen to get behind youngsters and says that, along with the desire of the player himself to succeed, gets the best out of emerging talent.
“If you get a good young player from the local area or who comes through the Academy, it’s much better than going out and signing someone for £5-10m,” said Coleman.
“You’ll get more out of that kid, I promise you – if they are good enough.
Joel Asoro of Sunderland celebrates on the final whistle (Image: Sunderland AFC)
Sunderland manager Chris Coleman talks to Josh Maja (Image: Sunderland AFC)
Ethan Robson of Sunderland (Image: Sunderland AFC)
“They have to be good enough, but if they are from the area and they have come through, the whole feeling is different because everybody around the club is proud of them.
“There’s a great academy here and if you haven’t got a massive transfer kitty, you have to get players from somewhere.”
Sunderland’s Academy has nurtured the likes of Jordan Henderson - who Coleman handed his full League debut in 2009 after taking him on loan when in charge at Coventry City - and Jordan Pickford, who have gone on to make big money moves to Liverpool and Everton respectively, and play for England.
Coleman said: “I took Jordan to Coventry, he did brilliantly for me, he was a great kid, a great guy, and I am delighted he has gone on to do what he has done.”
Sunderland’s financial problems, exacerbated by relegation from the Premier League last season, has seen the club come to rely heavily on Academy graduates in recent times, with George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch, and Elliot Embleton, also figuring at first-team level.