Sunderland has full rival Bellingham from the academy

Regis Le Bris will know, as well as recruiting a number of new players this summer at Sunderland, that there will be expectations on his shoulders that the youngsters growing up on Wearside will be given a chance in the first team again this coming season.

The next generation of Black Cats talent managed to lift a smile on the faces of weary fans in the last campaign at the Stadium of Light, even when things looked bleak in the Championship, with the likes of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham standing out. only 17 and 18 years respectively.

Bellingham, in particular, has impressed with seven goals to his name throughout the season, with the new Academy star tipped to make waves in the first team soon to challenge for the starting spot for the young attacking midfielder.

Caden Kelly's situation at Sunderland

There will be concern in the air that 20-year-old Caden Kelly could finally say goodbye to Sunderland in a year's time when his contract expires.

Football journalist Alan Nixon has claimed on his Patreon that the new deal has been made in an attempt to keep Kelly focused on his Wearside position, with the Manchester City youngster tipped to impress if given the chance to feature in the first team.

Having always provided the young Black Cats with a goal threat, the time may be right for Kelly to link up with the seniors if Le Bris is willing to give him a platform to impress this coming campaign.

With the Championship also lacking in attacking numbers, and Adil Aouchiche the only other option in the top ten apart from Bellingham, the Irish-born gem could be the next star every Sunderland fan is clamoring for very soon.

Kelly's numbers at Sunderland

In Premier League 2 for Sunderland U23s last term, Kelly bagged an impressive three goals and ten assists in all competitions.

That would take his performance at that level to 11 goals and 15 assists in 49 games, as there is now an argument that the 20-year-old has moved on to the youth ranks, especially if Bellingham – which is two years old. younger than Kelly – he lights up the Championship instead.

Continuing to take Sunderland's assets to youth level, Kelly has been handed two first-team appearances following this exploit, which is likely to happen if Le Bris takes the spotlight from the 20-year-old.

Able to play down the wings and even forward if needed, just as Bellingham did last campaign, Kelly will give the new manager another option in all attacking areas, as he aims to coach to bring success back to the Stadium. Of Light.

It's unlikely Kelly will be able to fire Bellingham from the starting line-up anytime soon, with the 18-year-old looking to kick on and impress in the secondary after committing his future to the club amid speculation he could be available. from this summer.

But, the jewel could be given more minutes in the first team even if Sunderland can tie him down to a new contract, and Kelly could be the next successful Academy player off the Black Cats production line if all goes to plan.