Man City and Chelsea go head-to-head for teenage wonderkid playing in Scottish third tier

Manchester City and Chelsea are set to go head-to-head in a battle to sign 17-year-old starlet Ethan Sutherland.

Sutherland is currently on loan at Alloa Athletic in Scotland’s League One from Premiership side St Mirren. He arrived at Alloa at the end of the January transfer window in search of senior game-time.

The young Scotsman has impressed during his time at the Indodrill Stadium so far. He has mainly been deployed as a left-back, though his preferred position is out on the left wing.

Even playing out of position, Sutherland has caught the eye of the Premier League’s top teams. His performances have helped Alloa to solidify a place in League One’s promotion play-off places.

According to the Daily Record, current Premier League leaders City are battling Chelsea in the chase for Sutherland. The top-flight duo have both sent scouts to watch the 17-year-old, with a string of impressive reports coming back.

Crystal Palace are also watching Sutherland closely as the race to sign him heats up ahead of the summer transfer window. Palace signed Dylan Reid from St Mirren last summer, with Sutherland the next Buddies academy player ready to step up.

But he still has a year remaining on his contract with his parent club and is highly rated by boss Stephen Robinson. Sutherland has already been earmarked for a role in Robinson’s first-team, with the manager delighted with his progress.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Morecambe manager Stephen Robinson during the League One match between Sunderland and Morecambe at Stadium of Light on December 7, 2021 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

“We think Ethan is a real prospect, but what he lacks is experience, a mentality and a determination when things go wrong,” Robinson said when Sutherland was sent on loan to Alloa.

“The only way you do that is when you are playing games. He’s not ready for the first team but going on loan will be the best for his development.”

Sutherland has also been delighted with how his loan in the third tier has gone so far. The youngster admitted he was pleased to be gaining game-time at a senior level.

“I’m happy to be getting out and getting some minutes. I’m happy to be playing, good to get out, the boys here are good and it’s something new,” Sutherland said after making his debut for Alloa.

“It’s always good to come into a club and get off to a good start. I prefer higher up the pitch. But if they need to put me left back, then I’ll do the best I can.”

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