Tony Mowbray’s problems at Sunderland are mounting up, with Edouard Michut the latest player to be sidelined through injury.
The new signing from Paris Saint-Germain is yet to feature for the first team and wasn’t fit enough for a bounce game earlier this week, in which fellow new signings Amad Diallo, Jewison Bennette and Abdoullah Ba all featured.
As per The Northern Echo, the Black Cats manager said: “Edouard Michut has got a slight strain, I think the first couple of days of training were probably a bit more intense than what he’s been used to recently, so he didn’t play and is probably a week or two behind the others.”
Michut arrived at the Stadium of Light on loan from the French champions, with the Black Cats holding an option to purchase the teenage midfielder, so Mowbray will be hoping to get a good look at him this season before making a decision on him next summer.
During his time at PSG, the 19-year-old made eight appearances for the first team, in which he contributed one assist in Ligue 1, so he certainly seems to be an exciting prospect.
In 2020, football talent scout Jacek Kulig said: “Another fantastic product of PSG youth academy, highly technical and creative playmaker – Édouard Michut!”
Will Michut have a big part to play?
There is plenty of competition for places in the middle of the park for Sunderland, with Mowbray having the likes of Alex Prichard, Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton available as creative options, so it could be tough for Michut to force his way into the first team.
However, his experience with the French champions gives him plenty of pedigree, and Black Cats fans will be hoping to see his quality shine through during the season, so it is undoubtedly a blow for Mowbray that the 19-year-old won’t be available for the first team until he recovers from this thigh strain.
The former Blackburn Rovers boss is already missing the likes of Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin and Ross Stewart from his first team, so having squad players such as Michut available will be vital to Sunderland’s fortunes, as the games will come thick and fast before the World Cup in the winter.
Therefore, Mowbray will be disappointed that the teenager isn’t fit, as the youngster could have a big part to play this season if he can realise his obvious potential at the Stadium of Light.
