Sunderland took something of a gamble in the summer when they signed Amad Diallo on loan from Manchester United. The forward had plenty of raw talent, but there were some doubts over his true potential after a disappointing spell with Glasgow Rangers.
However, the 20-year-old has dispelled any fears with a series of excellent displays which have helped Sunderland exceed expectations in their first season back in the Championship. The Ivory Coast star has scored nine goals and played a vital role as Tony Mowbray's side pushed up the table, with a late bid for the play-offs not out of the question.
Amad's parent club have kept a keen eye on his progress at the Stadium of Light, with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag pleased that he is getting so much gametime this season. And the player himself has identified the confidence boost Tony Mowbray and the Sunderland coaching staff have given him, admitting he is hoping to continue that into a big 2023.
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"Since I’ve been here, I’ve played in all the games and so I have felt I have more confidence," the forward told MUTV. "The manager and all the staff are confident in me and I think that this will help me a lot for next year. I hope that next year will be a good season for me.
“When a player goes on loan, the first thing is to get lots of playing minutes, and, yes, once you get lots of minutes and start playing lots, you grow straight away. Your confidence increases, and I think that, since I have been here, at the beginning I didn’t play much, but then I started playing regularly and, from there, it all started.
"And, like I said before, I think this loan spell will help me for next season because it has helped me mature, and I have grown lots, on a mental level as well, and feel I have the ability to show this next season."
Amad has dealt admirably with the physical requirement of playing Championship football. There was no doubting his tecnhical ability, but he has risen to the challenge of the division, earning the player of the month award in December.
"When I arrived at Manchester United, I was a bit thin," he added. "Now I do lots in the gym, even when I’m at home and I haven’t much to do. I think that it is needed for playing here in England because you need to do everything you can to be able to react to playing in this league.
"We’ve faced many teams in the Championship that had very physical players but I think the game doesn’t always depend on the physicality because I think, if you have the technical ability and if you have the ability to play fast, your physicality is less important. But yes, like I said before, it is important to have muscles to play against defenders. However, if you are intelligent players that can make the difference, then it’s needed less.
"I was even the Young Player of the Month. It was a very great feeling for me. I hope to continue in this and play very good this season.”
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