'On fire' Amad is keeping the most talented player in the Championship out of Sunderland's starting XI, according to Tony Mowbray. In-form Manchester United loanee Amad has scored four goals and contributed one assist in the last six games, with his most recent goal coming in the weekend 3-0 win against Millwall at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland resumed their league campaign following the World Cup break.
Amad has been keeping Patrick Roberts - who Mowbray regards as the biggest talent in the division - out of the side, and Sunderland's head coach says he has had to take Roberts to one side and explain the situation to him. In the longer term, the challenge for Mowbray is to find a way to fit both Amad and Roberts into his side to harness the strengths of both men.
"He's only playing on a regular basis because of his talent," Mowbray said of Amad. "I have to sit Patrick Roberts down in my office, who, in my opinion, is probably the most talented footballer in this league, yet he's not playing.
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"'Why am I not playing if you think I'm that talented?' 'Well, because this kid assists and scores goals Pat, and with total respect, you scored two amazing goals away at Reading this season and you've had some assists, but Amad's on fire at the moment and he plays in the same position as you'.
"My job is to try to find a way of putting them both in the team, yet you have to pick and choose the games where you feel you can be dominant with the ball and put them both in the team at the same time."
Amad's form has led to speculation that he might be recalled by Manchester United in January to bolster Erik Ten Hag's squad. But Mowbray feels the Red Devils will take into account the benefit of Amad playing regular first-team football with Sunderland in the second half of the season, which would be unlikely at Old Trafford.
And he cites the example of Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott who he took on loan while in charge at Blackburn Rovers, saying the experience of spending a full season playing senior football meant he returned to Anfield ready to challenge for a place in Jurgen Klopp's side. He said: "With Amad, playing football is the best thing for any young player.
"Harvey Elliott came to Blackburn and played because Liverpool didn't think he was ready to play in their first team. He played a whole season for us and was amazing with the goals and creativity.
"He was a young kid at 17 who just wanted to play football. You could give him the ball and let him dance with it.
"To be honest, I didn't think he would start in Liverpool's team the following season – they're trying to win the Champions League and Premier League every year – and yet there he was, he was playing the following season. Is Amad going to score 20 goals for us this year and will Man United think he can go and start in their team next year?
"Will he be there? I don't know.
"A lot of it is personality and drive, and having a growth mindset and wanting to keep getting better every day. I was just pleased he was at the back post [to finish his chance against Millwall] because, a few months ago, I think he might have been stood on the touchline 30 yards from the goal.
"Yet there he was, tapping it in. Raheem Sterling goes to work with [Manchester City boss Pep] Guardiola - and I'm certainly not comparing myself to him [Guardiola] - but a different coach telling players different things can make a difference.
"Sterling scored six or seven goals a season, then all of a sudden he's getting 25 to 30, not because he'd become a much better player, but because he'd been given advice on where to play and where he should be. It's just trying to help them really.
"I can't help Amad do stepovers, I was a big centre-half who headed it. I can't teach him anything about the ball, but I can tell him, 'When the ball's here, you have to be there mate. You have to threaten'.
"He's still learning and working on it, but he's so clever and bright. Even though the language is still half an issue for us, he understands.
"He nods, he knows and then he does it. We're delighted with him, and it's amazing to think Patrick is sitting on the bench.
"He's probably the most talented player in this league, yet Amad's goals and assists are keeping him out at the moment."
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