"Crucial" - Pundit backs Sunderland's Patrick Roberts action as Luton Town circled | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has had his say on Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts, who could be a key figure at The Stadium of Light.

With a youthful squad and after losing Jack Clarke this summer, it was imperative Patrick Roberts remained with Sunderland, according to Carlton Palmer.

Clarke was arguably one of the two best left-wingers in the division from last season, alongside Leeds' since departed Crysencio Summerville. Clarke became the key talismanic figure in both a goal-scoring and creative sense for the Black Cats.

Such form was always likely to leave Sunderland somewhat at the mercy of Premier League sharks, with Ipswich Town eventually signing Clarke from Sunderland on a five-year contract for a fee of around £20 million plus add-ons, per Fabrizio Romano.

The bonuses, in this case, are practically guaranteed to be paid, according to Michael Graham. This deal will include add-ons as well as a sell-on percentage as part of the agreement - which should allow them to financially benefit from Ipswich’s future sale of Clarke.

Clarke's output and contribution will be sorely missed by Sunderland, and it will be interesting to see how the Black Cats can adequately replace him. Adding more depth and quality to their forward department should help Sunderland to remain strong in an attacking sense in the aggregate.

24-year-old Wilson Isidor has joined from Zenit St Petersburg, on loan with an option to buy, but his record is not entirely convincing. He's only mustered double figures in a season in Russia once and only once made it past 20 goals, which was in the French third tier four years ago.

Sunderland brought in Ian Poveda on a free, whilst Ahmed Abdullahi is a young striker signed from KAA Gent, which could leave plenty of the attacking onus on Patrick Roberts' shoulders, as the most experienced forward at Regis Le Bris' disposal.

Carlton Palmer discusses Patrick Roberts impact

Roberts was becoming one of football's journeymen, which is a title he would not have desired. At 18 years of age, Roberts signed for Manchester City for a fee believed to be around £12 million. The teenager was tipped for greatness but never lived up to expectations.

Bizarrely, the winger remained a City player for seven years, after being loaned out on eight separate occasions. Having played across Europe, Roberts eventually signed for League One Sunderland in 2022, where he has remained ever since.

Despite some murmurings of a departure, he remained at the club following Clarke's exit and Carlton Palmer believes that the winger has made the right choice in remaining at The Stadium of Light.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "Sunderland supporters were delighted to see that Patrick Roberts remained at the club.

"He was linked with Luton Town, as well as other Championship clubs near to the deadline.

"He has been a crucial part of what Sunderland are about. He signed a new contract last year and is under contract until 2026, with Sunderland having the option for another year. "In consecutive seasons [since their return to the Championship], he has been a regular part of the team. "He played 32 league games last season, and the season before he played 42 league games. "He has played four games already this season, with Sunderland sat on maximum points and sitting top of the Championship. "He's a very important part of Sunderland and the football club. I am sure that they will be delighted that he has stayed at the football club. "And also that he is playing as well as he is. He's 27 now and really coming into his prime. "I know that Sunderland use their model to bring young players in and move them on by getting good money for them. "But you sometimes, like now, need to be kicking on. Sunderland are a massive club, and under Tony Mowbray they made the play-offs and lost to the eventual team that got promoted. "But last season was disappointing with the managers they brought in and the hierarchy have had to look at it and re-thought their process. "Obviously, as Mowbray said, it's great to have young players, but you have to have the balance with senior players. "It seems the new manager agrees and has brought them in. You look at what they are doing and playing free-flowing football and going out and attacking teams and scoring goals. "Roberts has been a crucial part in the way they play under the new manager, with going and closing teams down quickly as well.

"It's been so important that Sunderland were able to keep hold of Patrick Roberts."

Patrick Roberts' importance to Sunderland

For the third season running, Sunderland have the youngest squad by average age in the Championship, and the likes of Eliezar Mayenda, Chrig Rigg, and Jobe Bellingham have been amongst their best performers so far.

The foundations are therefore in place for a squad with plenty of room to develop towards their potential over the course of the year at Sunderland, but experienced players like Roberts, Alan Browne, and Luke O'Nien will be crucial for setting standards and showing their quality.

Roberts can be the main man in attack, with such a lack of experience, but also a lack of output and creativity. That's where he shines above other developing players, who may well be able to have moments of quality, but Roberts must show the consistency required for a promotion push this season.