'Huge asset for Sunderland' - Michael Beale expecting big things from youngster

Michael Beale thinks Abdoullah Ba is kicking on and becoming a consistent threat for Sunderland - despite his miss at Middlesbrough.

Michael Beale believes Abdoullah Ba has started to prove he is a ‘huge asset’ to Sunderland in recent weeks.

Ba scored and notched two assists in the 3-1 win over Stoke and he followed that up with a good showing at Middlesbrough, albeit one that will likely be most remembered for a huge missed chance.

The Frenchman has been one of the most consistently frustrating players in recent memory at Sunderland, showing his obvious talent one moment and then making a dreadful decision or displaying a lack of composure the next.

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However, Beale is confident that Ba is starting to come good in a Sunderland shirt and fans should feel increasingly confident that he can be a real threat much more often.

"Jack was so unselfish wasn't he, he lays one up there for Abdoullah," Beale said of the chance he missed at Middlesbrough.

"The thing is, I think Abdoullah played really well in the first half. I felt that both him and Jack were two of the players who were not winning their duels at the start of the second half.

“The full backs were getting the better of them and they weren't helping the team too much defensively - so we made a change.

“But Abdoullah is showing, at 20 years of age, that he's a huge asset for Sunderland. I'm really pleased with him, his first-half performance aside from that miss was strong.”

🎙️ "Middlesbrough weren't punished"

Sunderland's attempt is blocked ❌ pic.twitter.com/CuOgFWEkQF

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 4, 2024

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