Sunderland are set for another big summer as they look to kick on from their first season back in the Championship. Tony Mowbray's young side surpassed expectations to finish in the play-off places, but they were beaten 3-2 by Luton Town on aggregate.
The Black Cats reportedly face a fight to keep a number of their key players, with Anthony Patterson, Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke linked with moves away from Wearside according to the latest reports. However, one youngster who faces a summer like no other, is Ellis Taylor.
The versatile midfielder, who can also play at left-back, is approaching the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light. He put pen to paper on a three-year deal back in 2021 to become the first youngster tied down to a long-term deal under the new regime.
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Former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson handed Taylor a number of opportunities in the first-team, but Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray did not call upon the 20-year-old at all in the Championship last season. Taylor spent the first half of the season on loan with boyhood club Hartlepool United, but made just six appearances in a struggling Poolies side.
The Sunderland academy graduate endured a tough season off the pitch following the sad passing of his father in February earlier this year. Taylor returned to Wearside and featured heavily for Graeme Murty's Under-21s side which enjoyed a strong end to the season.
The creative midfielder was and still is highly thought of on Wearside, but the arrival of the likes of Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba, Isaac Lihadji and Amad Diallo saw Taylor's opportunities limited. The young midfielder is set for a make of break summer in front of Tony Mowbray and his staff, having struggled on loan with Hartlepool.
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