Patrick Roberts earned his second promotion with Sunderland as the Black Cats won the play-off final against Sheffield United to win a spot in the Premier League next season
Comments
Sport
Patrick Roberts lifts the trophy
Sunderland's Patrick Roberts lifts the play-off trophy(Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
His mum supports Everton, his dad’s a Liverpool fan - and Patrick Roberts can’t wait to reboot his Premier League career after a six-year intermission. Once dubbed the ‘Kingston Messi’ because of his extravagant promise as a teenager who grew up by the Thames, Roberts has taken the scenic route back to the penthouse.
But Sunderland ’s dramatic Championship play-off triumph against Sheffield United at Wembley has afforded him an encore in the top flight after 312 appearances in four countries, fighting to prove he hasn’t got a glittering future behind him. Roberts made a huge impact as substitute against the Blades, setting up Eliezer Mayenda’s equaliser before Tommy Watson’s last-gasp winner unlocked the catflap to £200 million of Premier League riches for the Black Cats.
At 28, he could still have his best years ahead and the Sunderland winger said: “When I came here three years ago, the goal was to get the club back to the Premier League.
“Getting out of League One was hard enough, and we did that the same way by winning at Wembley. Maybe I could have done more early in my early years, but I don't regret anything in my life. I came to a great club. I was grateful enough to them for obviously taking me, giving me a platform and giving me more contracts.
“They didn't have to do it, but they did - now I just want to repay them and help out as much as I can.”
READ MORE: Daniel Levy issues Tottenham statement to fans – but ignores elephant in the roomREAD MORE: Southampton appoint highly-rated boss as miserable Premier League season ends
How different is Roberts now to the player who made his Premier League debut for Fulham aged 17 back in 2014, and was headhunted by Manchester City for £12million the following year as one of English football’s brightest young prospects?
He shrugged: “I don’t know, I’ve never really had the chance - I went to Celtic on loan, and that was a different experience. Then I went abroad (to Spanish club Girona) and I’ve been in the Championship for a while now after coming here in League One.
“I've got a fair few years ahead of me and I feel really good - this is the best year I've had probably in a while in terms of physicality and mentally. I’ve also just become a dad as well, so I just want to go and see my son. He's only one year old so he wasn’t allowed to come to the play-off final, but I’ve been sent a few pictures of him in his kit.
Patrick Roberts
Patrick Roberts celebrates Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League
“Now I can’t wait to go to some of the big Premier League grounds - my mum's looking forward to Everton. She can't wait, especially with the new ground and, and my dad's a Liverpool fan.
“I've been to most of the grounds, but I'm just looking forward to being with this club up there. Going from League One, Championship and then Premier League - it's been a joy and I can't tell you proud I am.
“Everyone knows it's going to be tough. The Premier League is a different beast these days. But we're a big club and everyone can see that with the fans. We’ll have a right go, so anything is possible.
Patrick Roberts set up Eliezer Mayenda's equalising goal
Patrick Roberts set up Eliezer Mayenda's equalising goal
“When I came here it was obviously a big, huge club. Everyone kept saying, ‘How are they in League One?’ But you're in League One for a reason.
“The task was to get out of it. We did get out of it in the same way and then it was just trying to build on that as a good Championship club and see where you can take it.
“This year, with the new manager, we brought in some players and you could see the ambition of the owner - there was momentum and we could see what we could do.
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland lifts the trophy during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
Sunderland banked £220million by winning the play-off final
“The target was promotion - whatever way we could achieve it. We had to grind throughout the season and lost five on the bounce at the end, but we turned it around with the win at Coventry in the semi-final and showed resilience again to get over the line at Wembley.
“It’s been the story of our season. When it matters, we've turned up and it's great to play with a top group of lads that are young and a lot are going to do great things.
“For me, it's been some journey from League One to the Premier League and I don’t take it for granted. It's been a great ride.”
Roberts paid tribute to the impact of head coach Regis Le Bris, who arrived on Wearside as an unknown but now belongs in the cast of Black Cats legends like Bob Stokoe and Peter Reid.
“He’s calm - very calm” said Roberts. “He's been brilliant from the day that he arrived and I can't say enough about the man. He's made me enjoy football again, as did (predecessor) Tony Mowbray.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.