‘A very exciting talent’: Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips heaps praise Manchester City loanee

Manchester City under-23s star Callum Doyle has received praise from Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips after his performances so far this season for the Black Cats, while on loan from the Sky Blues.

The 18-year-old joined the League One club in July for the 2021-22 campaign and has been an ever-present member of Lee Johnson’s side since.

Speaking before Sunderland’s 5-1 quarter-final Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal on Sky Sports on Tuesday evening, via the Sunderland Echo, Phillips, who was a pundit for the game, commended Doyle’s displays during his loan spell in the North East.

“You just look at the lad, he’s a big powerful lad, he’s got a lovely left foot and he sits lovely in that back three with the balance on that left side.” he said.

The centre-back has featured in 21 of the Black Cats’ 22 league games, providing two assists. Despite his age, Phillips believes Doyle’s performances alongside Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan in a three-man defence has shown a great level of maturity.

“It shows a maturity that’s way above his age and I would imagine that has been schooled through the Manchester City academy. I think he led the under-23s that won the league last season at City.”

“He went through a tricky spell but what kid doesn’t? He has come out of it the other side and is a very exciting talent.”

Since his arrival on Wearside, Doyle has impressed England under-19s manager Ian Foster and made his debut for Young Lions on September 2 against Italy.

The 18-year-old has gone on to make a further six appearances under Foster, most recently on November 16, in a UEFA U-19 Championship Qualification game against Sweden.

Sunderland sit third in League One, two points off second-place Wigan Athletic and four points off top of the table Rotherham United.