Chelsea loanee 'needs a goal' says Sunderland boss
Cameron Smith
- 23 Oct 2023 19:33 BST
- 3 min read
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has admitted that on-loan Chelsea forward Mason Burstow “needs a goal,” with the 20-year-old’s goal drought extending to seven games.
Burstow is still yet to score for his new club, after joining on a one-year deal on Transfer Deadline Day, although he did provide an assist in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in late September.
The forward joined Chelsea from Charlton for €1.8 million in 2022 and he has made three senior appearances for the Blues. He scored during their pre-season tour of the United States, but is yet to find the back of the net in a competitive match for the west London club.
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Following the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and the existing presence of Armando Broja, Burstow was loaned to Sunderland for the 2023-24 season, but he has not yet scored for Mowbray’s side.
Burstow was dropped to bench for Sunderland’s loss to Stoke City this weekend, having started their previous six Championship matches. He was also hooked at half-time the weekend prior, during their 4-0 defeat against Middlesbrough.
Mowbray was asked about the Chelsea youngster following the game versus Stoke on Saturday.
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Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Mason Burstow! 🔥#SAFC pic.twitter.com/XMOGpE8W4l
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 1, 2023
What has been said?
As quoted by Chronicle Live, Mowbray told the media: “I'm expecting him [Burstow] to be here for the season.
“I'm sure there will be a recall in there - every loan these days seems to have a recall [clause]. Chelsea seem to have turned the corner a little bit in terms of results so maybe there won't be such urgency to recall a young boy to do a man's job for them.
“I think that Mason just has to grow into it. He needs a goal - we've said that - but he works hard on all aspects of his game and his finishing, and I'm sure the goal is just around the corner somewhere.
“Hopefully he is one of those strikers where he gets one and then a whole flurry of them come pretty quickly. We have to persevere and keep going with him.”
Burstow scored six goals in 23 senior games for Charlton before he joined Chelsea last year.
