Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow isn’t quite lighting up the Championship this season like many expected.
The 20-year-old striker impressed during the summer as part of Chelsea’s first-team squad for pre-season, which is why his season-long loan move to Sunderland looked like a very exciting project.
However, the youngster’s now gone eight consecutive appearances without a goal.
He got another start during Sunderland’s trip to Championship leaders Leicester City last night, but he struggled to make any kind of attacking threat before being substituted off in the 64th minute. Incidentally, Leicester won 1-0 as they soar clear at the top of the league.
Chelsea disappointment
Mason Burstow can’t really complain about a lack of chances, starting seven of his eight games in the Championship so far.
Unfortunately, it can be a really difficult division to make your impact if you start slowly.
It feels like the best way he’s going to grab Chelsea’s attention is by scoring a hatful of goals in the second tier, but he’s got a lot to work on before that happens.
Local media delivered a critical verdict on the Blues loanee after Tuesday night’s display at the King Power Stadium.
When discussing Burstow’s performance against Leicester, the The Sunderland Echo wrote: “The young striker is leaving [Tony] Mowbray with a selection dilemma. His work rate is excellent and his pressing here was relentless, helping his side apply pressure on Leicester in dangerous areas. The wait for a goal goes on, though, and that’s primarily because he’s struggling to work shooting opportunities against experienced defenders in the box. 5/10.”
Mason Burstow worry
As long as Burstow’s getting starts and game time, there’s an opportunity for him to turn things around in Sunderland colours.
He’s got great speed and physicality as a young centre-forward, but needs to show the goalscoring confidence he had in Chelsea’s Under-21s team.
Speaking via The Northern Echo this week, Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray explained he expects Burstow to spend the full season with him despite suggestions there’s a recall option in January.
It’s a good early test in the youngster’s career and development.
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