Opinion: Sunderland should consider fresh agreement with 25-year-old

Sunderland turned it on in the closing exchanges to claim a hard-earned 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Super substitutes Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts got themselves on the scoresheet to pick up what could be a vital three points come the end of the season.

Roberts joined the Black Cats towards the back end of the January transfer window from Manchester City on a permanent basis.

However, the 25-year-old’s deal only runs until the end of the season at which time he could become a free agent for the first time in his career.

There has not been any consistency in Roberts’ ascension into senior football, the Fulham academy graduate had a prolific youth career with England and was loaned out by Manchester City eight times before January.

With his future up in the air, it could be difficult for Roberts to display his best form between now and the end of the season, and with his potential still being way above League One level, the Black Cats should consider offering him a contract extension until at least the summer of 2023.

Loan moves suit some players more than others, and can be especially difficult to understand once a player is over the age of 23, Roberts has played in La Liga, Ligue 1 and over 50 times in both the Championship and the Scottish Premiership, never settling down and finding where he truly fitted into a club and its environment.

Sunderland are an ambitious club for third tier level and have conducted some excellent transfer business in recent windows, with a view to the longer term in mind.

Giving Roberts a contract only until the end of the season does not reflect that, and now he has opened his account for the club, a new deal should be tabled if he can keep contributing in the final third.

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