Despite Sunderland signing Anthony Patterson, Tony Mowbray issues a caution.
TONY MOWBRAY is happy that Anthony Patterson has signed a new contract with Sunderland, but he acknowledges that the team will need to keep working hard to reach the Premier League if they want to maintain the native goalie for the course of his new contract.
The 23-year-old Patterson’s new contract, which keeps him at the Stadium of Light through the summer of 2028, is a reward for his growth since he forced his way into the first-team picture on Wearside a few seasons ago.
Patterson has established himself as Sunderland’s starting goalkeeper since returning from a loan stint at Notts County to help Alex Neil with a goalkeeping problem. He also earned his international debut with the England Under-21 team.
An excellent shot-stopper who commands his 18-yard box and remains unruffled no matter what the state of the game, Patterson boasts all the attributes needed to succeed at the very highest level.
Even though Patterson’s new contract is for five years, Mowbray acknowledges that it won’t expire until Sunderland can stay up with Patterson’s goals, which unavoidably include playing in the Premier League at some point in the future.
The Sunderland manager stated that Patto “has the potential to go to the very top.” “You watch him in practice, and his large frame makes it difficult to defeat him. He is really cool, which is great for a goalie, and he normally does a great job of keeping the ball out of the net.
“If anything, the club needs to advance as quickly as possible to keep our best players because if we don’t appear like we can make the Premier League or threaten the play-offs once more, the best players at our club will go for Premier League clubs.
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“The best-case scenario for this club over the next few years is to push on and try to get to the Premier League so we can recompense these footballers and pay them the salary they’re happy with as they continue to come through at the club they want to be at.
“Let’s hope that’s what happens, otherwise their talent will attract clubs who can pay them more money and give them a Premier League career. I think Patto falls into that category because he’s a very, very talented young guy.”
North Shields-born Patterson joined Sunderland’s academy more than a decade ago, and trained with current England number one Jordan Pickford during his early days at the Academy of Light.
He will make his 85th senior Sunderland appearance in Sunday’s home game with Cardiff City, and needed no persuading to sign the new long-term deal that was announced this morning.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract because you can see the trajectory the club is on, and it’s an exciting time to be here,” said Patterson, who made his senior Sunderland debut in an EFL Cup win at Port Vale in August 2021.
“It’s obviously an absolute dream to come through the academy to where I am now, as when you first join the club at the age of ten, you don’t ever think too much about actually playing for Sunderland.
“I just want to keep improving, help the team as much as I can, and hopefully that ensures the club finishes as high as possible this season.”
