Jack Ross has turned Sunderland from a team sliding down the English league to one that looks as though could be contending for promotion back in the Championship. Charlton have had their struggles this season but despite that, they sit sixth in the table.
Sunderland were incredibly active in the transfer market over the summer but arguably their best player has been academy graduate, Josh Maja.
Charlton too have been led by the form of their forward man and thanks to Lyle Taylor, Lee Bowyer has a side that could sneak into the playoffs this season.
Josh Maja
After such a terrible season, Sunderland needed to reinvest into the squad over the summer in order to give them a chance of gaining promotion back into the Championship.
Moroever, after losing Joel Asoro, The Black Cats needed to add firepower to their forward line and although they signed Jerome Sinclair and Charlie Wyke, it has been the performances of youth academy graduate, Josh Maja that has been the surprise for the fans.
The 19-year-old has blossomed this season since becoming the starting striker for the side and has scored 11 goals in the league to become one of the most potent strikers in League One.
Powerful, quick and able to finish, Maja is performing at a very high-level for a 19-year-old. With Sunderland becoming a much-improved team, he’s been the fulcrum of their attacks and although he may struggle in the Championship, Ross has the striker he needs to take them to new heights, although his contract does run out next summer.
TT Grade: B+
Lyle Taylor
Signed from AFC Wimbledon over the summer, Lyle Taylor has been one of the bright sparks for Charlton in a season where there have been so many problems off the pitch.
He’s scored nine goals in the league this season and is probably the club’s best player with Jake Forster-Caskey out injured.
He’s quick and much like Maja, he knows how to finish, although at times it can be a bit scrappy.
At 28, he’s in the prime of his career but still needs to improve on his at times, erratic touch. However, Charlton should be counting their blessings that they have him in the side.
TT Grade: B-
The Verdict
Taylor is Charlton’s best player and one of the better players in the league but in reality, his game isn’t as polished as it should be for a striker in the prime of his career. Maja, on the other hand, is only 19 and is already showing that he could be ready for a move up to the Championship.
Considering his age and that he’s a product of the youth system, the Sunderland man wins this one.
