Analysis: Joel Asoro shows that Sunderland have a player on their hands

Joel Asoro was the latest Sunderland prospect to catch the eye on the club's tour of France.
Sunderland warm up against FC DijonSunderland warm up against FC Dijon
Sunderland warm up against FC Dijon

The 17-year-old was in from the start against Dijon at Stade Camille-Fournier, the youngest player in David Moyes' second Sunderland starting line-up.

The Swedish-born forward played the final half hour of the win over Stade Nyonnais but this was his chance to impress from the start.

And he didn't disappoint.

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With Jermain Defoe again rested from the squad and Duncan Watmore on the bench after his brace the other night, it fell to Asoro to lead the line.

An exciting prospect, he has quick feet and shows great composure for a teenager.

He was a man in demand before eventually signing for Sunderland last year, with the likes of Manchester United and City, Chelsea, Juventus and Everton all rumoured to be after him.

Sunderland pipped them to the post and on this showing, they have a player with some potential on their hands.

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Small in stature but big in heart, Asoro showed his key attributes.

He had two big defenders to contend with in Jordan Loties and Yunis Abdelhamid, but he didn't shy away from the fight.

Asoro demonstrated his pace and composure and got his reward in the 15th minute.

Showing superb instinct, he closed down Loties who had made an awful hash of a clearance, bundling him off the ball before coolly slotting past Reynet Baptiste.

In off the post, it was a clinical finish.

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And he didn't even look up to see what other options there were, showing his instinct and going for goal.

Defoe was applauding from the benches next to the dugout.

Asoro was constantly moving, always looking for space and the ball.

His link up play still needs some work, at one stage he was played in by Younes Kaboul, his touch was good but then he misplaced a simple pass to Jeremain Lens.

Second half he showed a cool head to provide the first-time assist for Whabi Khazri's 58th minute goal.

Four minutes later he was subbed from the action to a warm-round of applause from the Sunderland fans inside the ground.

Overall, a promising display from Asoro who is one to keep an eye on in future.