'Never in a million years' - Former boss admits shock at Sunderland star transformation on Wearside

Luke O’Nien’s former non-league manager has admitted that he “never in a million years” saw the Sunderland stalwart transforming himself into a central defender.

The 31-year-old has played a key role in the Black Cats’ rise up through the divisions in recent seasons, joining the club in League One and making his long-awaited Premier League debut in last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

O’Nien’s rollercoaster week would then end on a sour note after he was sent off against Manchester City a few days later, with both of his top flight cameos to date coming as a midfielder. The popular talent has made the majority of his appearances in red and white as a centre-back, however, and in an interview with online outlet Mackem News, Gordon Bartlett - who worked with O’Nien during his time at Wealdstone a little over a decade ago - has suggested that the Sunderland star’s evolution into a defender was not one that he saw coming.

What has Gordon Bartlett said about Sunderland star Luke O’Nien?

Reflecting on O’Nien’s growth, Bartlett said: “Never in a million years did he strike me as the type of player who could play at centre-back. Because of the physicality of it, I mean, he’s not the biggest, but he was the sort of fella who could probably play anywhere.

“So it surprises me in as much of what we had him as he was still young, didn’t see that in him, bundle of energy, you know, his skill set was tremendous, and he was always showing videos or doing things on the training pitch which you didn’t really see other people trying to do. He’d knock it into a basketball net from one end of the court to the other and just things like that. He worked so hard at his game.”

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What did Luke O’Nien say about his Premier League debut?

Posting on social media in the aftermath of his Premier League bow, O’Nien said: "Last night, one of my dreams came true. For years, I’ve dreamed about playing in the Premier League. Some people laughed at me. Some coaches I had when I was little said I’d never make it. Lots of people told me I wasn’t good enough and to give up. But I’ve always held onto that dream of playing at the highest level. Deep down I believed that if I just kept working, kept learning, kept showing up every single day, then one day it might happen.

"Last night, that dream that 4 year old me had… came true. And if you’d told me I’d make my debut at left wing, up against my mate Mo Salah, I’d have laughed as well. From non-league in 2014, to being released by Watford in 2015… there were moments where it felt like this day might never come.

"Sunderland, you’ve been my home for seven years. I never knew I could fall in love with a club, a city, and its people the way I have. You’ve given me space to grow, to fail, to learn, and to find out who I am as a player and a person. To play even a small part in rebuilding this beautiful club and helping it climb back to where it belongs is something I’ll always be proud of.

"Making my Premier League debut… I’m incredibly grateful. Taking a moment afterwards to stand with my mum and dad and breathe it all in… that was special. But that debut chapter is written now. The focus is on pushing on, improving, growing, and helping drive this club forward with this unbelievable group of players. Seven years ago we were in League One. Fast forward to last night and we have a team giving everything, disappointed to only get one point against the Premier League champions. If that’s not a moment to stop, reflect, and feel proud, I don’t know what is. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey; my family, my friends, the staff, the supporters, and my teammates. It’s just the beginning."

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