Carlton Palmer suggests that Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle should consider a move to Sunderland if the chance arises, urging him to seek regular playing time.
Doyle, 23, joined Wolves from Manchester City on loan last season, which turned into a permanent deal in the summer of 2024. Despite making over 50 appearances for the club, he has found it harder to secure game time under new manager Vitor Pereira.
The midfielder, who had a rare start in a recent loss to Nottingham Forest, has struggled to impress, and with new signings like Marshall Munetsi and Brazilian internationals Andre and Joao Gomes, Doyle faces stiff competition in the midfield. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde also remains ahead of him in the pecking order, making it unclear where he fits into Wolves’ plans.
This has led to growing interest from other clubs, with Sheffield United linked to him last month. More recently, Sunderland have been named as potential suitors, with reports suggesting that Doyle could be a good replacement for Jobe Bellingham, who might be sold this summer.
Palmer believes a move to Sunderland could benefit Doyle, stressing that the 23-year-old needs consistent playing time to develop his career. “It’s a tough situation,” Palmer said. “Doyle wants to play in the Premier League, but to secure his future, Sunderland would need to earn promotion. The issue for him at Wolves is that he’s not playing regularly. You can’t just sit around hoping for your chance; you need to be playing.”
He added, “Sometimes you have to move to a club where you’re guaranteed football to progress in your career. Unless Sunderland gets promoted, Doyle might not be interested, but if they do, they might be able to keep Bellingham another year, and that could also influence Doyle’s decision.”
As both Sunderland and Wolves head into the summer transfer window, the future of players like Doyle and Bellingham will depend on the final outcomes of their seasons.
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