What can Blackpool fans expect from Elliot Embleton? Former coaches provide fascinating insight on Sunderland loanee

While the talented 21-year-old hasn’t been a regular starter for Sunderland this season, he’s still managed to make 12 appearances in all competitions.

The attacking midfielder is highly rated at the Stadium of Light, so much so he was handed a new contract before being loaned out.

But that raises the question why the Black Cats were so keen to lend their man to a potential promotion rival, when it's understood League Two sides Carlisle United, Mansfield Town and Salford City were all interested.

Speaking earlier this week, Sunderland boss Lee Johnson revealed it was actually Embleton’s decision to move after being told regular game-time couldn’t be guaranteed in the North East.

But what sort of player is Embleton and what can Blackpool fans expect from him?

At the start of the season, The Gazette’s sister title the Sunderland Echo caught up with Michael Jolley and Anthony Limbrick, who coached Embleton during his loan spell with Grimsby Town.

However, Embleton first caught Jolley’s eye while he was working with Burnley’s Under-23 side when they came up against Sunderland in the Premier League Cup.

“We had some good players - the most well-known of which now would be Dwight McNeil - but also lads like Jimmy Dunne and Dan Agyei who have done well in the EFL,” Jolley said.

“Sunderland had a good Under-23 side and two lads stood out in particular to me – Elliott Embleton and Ethan Robson (both are now with Blackpool).

“Embo stood out because of his football intelligence and the fact that he was so two-footed. He is one of the best two footed players I have seen – it’s hard to tell sometimes which is his stronger foot.

“In one-v-one situations he could go in either direction and deliver good quality. He made great decisions in possession and could link the play very intelligently.”

Embleton also caught the eye of Jolley’s soon-to-be-assistant Anthony Limbrick, and the midfielder became a key target when they arrived at Grimsby.

“Elliot adapted really well,” Limbrick explained to the Sunderland Echo.

“He moved the ball quickly, took people on and his decision making was something that stood out for me. He knew when to dribble, he knew when to pass and he was really a creator for us.

“He scored in one of the home games early on and after that he found himself playing every week, barring injury.

“There’s been a lot of good players that come from clubs at a higher level into League Two and just can’t put it together for one reason or another, but Elliot did really well for us.”

Jolley, who is now in charge of Barrow and is well known to Blackpool boss Neil Critchley, added: “He quickly became the most important player in our team.

“He had a confidence which top players have - which was basically him saying ‘give me the ball and I will make things happen for the team’.

“Even better, he was able to back this up because he stood out a mile in League Two as one the best players in that division.

“The movements and passes he made were sometimes on a different wavelength to some of the other players we had, no disrespect to them.”

Embleton has been described by Critchley as an attacking midfielder who is capable of playing in a number of positions, whether that be in central midfield, the number 10 role or wide on the flanks.

When Jolley was asked what his best position is, the former Grimsby boss said: “He is such a good player he could play almost anywhere on the field, but I believe his best long-term position will be in central midfield, where he can exert the maximum influence over the game.

“He could play as a deep lying midfielder to get involved in the build-up of play, but more likely is he plays as an attacking midfielder with a degree of freedom to roam into wide and forward positions.”

“We were playing 3-5-2 (at Grimsby) and he played in behind the forwards,” adds Limbrick.

“We found that was a good position for him because it gave him the freedom to drift and float, possibly go wide and combine with the wing-backs, and that worked well with him.”

Naturally, performing well in the fourth tier and in the top half of League One are two different things entirely.

When posed the question whether or not he’s capable of performing at that level, Grimsby’s former coaches provided a ringing endorsement.

“I think he could play regularly in League One,” Limbrick said.

“Being in a good side and having good players around him could really help him, and I think his mentality is strong and he’d be able to play in League One.”

“I am 100% convinced that Elliot is more than capable of playing a central role for Sunderland in League One and beyond,” Jolley added.

“I know he has had his injury problems last season but if he can stay fit, Sunderland have an outstanding young player at their disposal and I wouldn’t bet against him securing a regular starting position for them next season.

“I referenced Dwight McNeil earlier and having been lucky enough to work really closely with him, I believe that Embo is comparable.

“He’s still very young and has plenty of learning still to do, but with his talent and attitude I believe he can play in the Premier League later in his career.”

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