Sunderland midfielder discusses his January exit and his ambition for Blackpool loan

The Sunderland youngster made the surprise move on deadline day after a candid discussion with head coach Lee Johnson about his likely playing time between now and the end of the season.

Embleton is hoping for regular gametime under Neil Critchley as he bids to play his way into a central role at the Stadium of Light next season.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Embleton said.

"It’s a good chance to show what I’m about and get some more game time.

“I found out I could go out on loan on deadline day and I managed to get something sorted pretty quickly.

“As soon as I knew Blackpool would take me I was jumping at the chance.

“I had a few starts here and there but it’s been a bit stop-start. With Covid as well, that’s made things difficult.

“I’m just hoping to get a run of games and show everyone what I can do.

“I’m an attacking player that likes to create chances and chip in with the odd goal or two.

“I can go left or right foot, beat people and hopefully get some assists.

“I spoke to [Neil Critchley] before I signed and he told me he had watched me play in the Under-18s and the Under-23s,” Embleton added.

“He thought I had something that would add to the squad, so I was excited about signing and came down straight away.”

Embleton’s move to Blackpool reunites him with long-term academy team-mate Ethan Robson, who made the switch last summer.

The 21-year-old took part in his first training session on Thursday and is hoping to be in the matchday squad to face Ipswich Town this weekend.

“It went well,” Embleton said.

"We did a bit of possession work, it was short and sharp and I enjoyed it.

“It helps coming into a team where I know one of the lads really well in Ethan [Robson]. I’ve played with him for a number of years now, since I was 17 really up to now where I’ve joined him at Blackpool.

“Hopefully I can make my debut. I’ve trained with the lads and now we’ll just have to wait to see what the manager has got in mind.”

Speaking on the #SAFCUnfiltered podcast, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman outlined why Blackpool’s style of play made the switch a perfect fit in his eyes.

"If you look at Elliot, he’s only played 650 minutes this season,” he said.

"He had a great loan in League Two and then was out injured. He could have stayed and more played more minutes for us, but would that have been enough for where his profile is at the minute in his development?

“I think it’s great for Elliot that another League One club wants to take him, there were cubs interested but we just felt that with Blackpool and Neil, who understands young players, is the perfect situation to replicate what we do here with hopefully more minutes.

“He has to earn those minutes, but we just felt that at the end of the season he’ll have played more minutes and that will be the best outcome.”