AliousLee Hendrie has offered a candid take on Tommy Watson’s upcoming move to Brighton, expressing concern that the £10 million switch might be premature for the 18-year-old Sunderland talent.
Brighton and Sunderland finalised the deal on April 1, with the promising winger set to join the Premier League side when the summer window opens. Watson, who made his senior debut in April 2023, has had a breakout campaign in 2024/25—despite an injury that sidelined him for a large portion of the season. Since returning, he’s played a supporting role in Sunderland’s push for promotion via the play-offs.
Yet, Watson’s lack of first-team experience has sparked questions about whether the step up to the top flight is arriving too early. Speaking to *Football League World*, Hendrie praised the teenager’s talent but questioned the timing of the transfer.
“I’ve seen Tommy play. He’s a very exciting young talent, no doubt about that,” Hendrie said. “But I don’t think Sunderland should be letting him go just yet. He hasn’t had much game time, and with his potential, you’d want to see how he develops before cashing in.”
Hendrie went on to say that unless Sunderland have included performance-based clauses or a substantial sell-on percentage in the deal, it feels like they’re letting a high-potential player go too soon. “He’s still only 18—he could be worth a lot more in a year or two,” Hendrie added.
Despite these reservations, it’s easy to understand Watson’s decision. Brighton, despite a slight dip to 11th in 2023/24, continue to grow under new leadership and are once again chasing European football. The club’s reputation for developing young players makes it an attractive destination.
While Hendrie believes Watson may struggle to earn regular minutes at the Amex straight away, the allure of joining an upwardly mobile Premier League side likely outweighed the uncertainty. Sunderland, meanwhile, may have felt that £10 million for an unproven prospect was too good to turn down—especially with the risk that Watson’s progress could stall.
Ultimately, Watson’s move represents a high-reward gamble for Brighton and a bittersweet exit for Sunderland, who lose one of their brightest young stars at a pivotal point in their own rise.
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