Ruben joined our Gav for a chat about his experiences as a young player trying to break through at Sunderland and remaining positive in the increasingly unpredictable footballing world. You can listen for FREE on Acast, iTunes, Spotify, & YouTube - get stuck in!

What are we talking about?

• Spending a year at the Academy of Light after signing from Chelsea under Jack Ross, how does Ruben feel about his time at Sunderland?

• As an Academy, with his experience coming up as a Chelsea youth player, is there that much difference between methods at Sunderland in League One compared to Chelsea in the Premier League?

• What were his plans upon joining Sunderland in 2019, what are his thoughts on the situation the older youth sides found themselves in this past season, and how seriously do the U23 players take the leagues and games they perform in?

• Which players in the U23s stand out from some others and look to have a bright future in football?

• Maintaining discipline and drive regardless of knock backs and defeats, and why younger players should be experiencing first team football - wherever that may be - from as early an age as possible;

• Ruben’s thoughts on his own departure from the club, and navigating the current footballing landscape and the uncertainty Covid-19 has caused for players futures;

• His shock at the departure of teammate Bali Mumba, and his experiences dealing with former Academy Manager Paul Reid (and how he plans to turn a negative into a positive;

An interesting chat with a lovely young lad and professional who unfortunately didn’t get the chance or time to prove himself at the club, we’d all like to thank Ruben for taking the time to speak to us and wish him all the best for his future career!

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