Blackpool manager Neil Critchley looks back fondly on the time former loanee Elliot Embleton spent at Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders are reportedly interested in bringing back the Sunderland midfielder to strengthen their squad, with even Derby County showing interest according to reports from Alan Nixon via Patreon.

During his loan spell in 2021, the 25-year-old made quite an impact on the Fylde Coast, scoring twice and assisting four goals in 21 appearances. Embleton notably scored a crucial goal in the League One play-off semi-finals against Oxford United and played a vital role in Blackpool’s 2-1 win over Lincoln City in the Wembley final, securing their recent promotion to the Championship.

Reflecting on Embleton’s time at Blackpool, Critchley praised his contributions, saying, “He was very good for us. He arrived on Deadline Day in January and had a fantastic spell with us. Subsequently, he had a successful season at Sunderland, although injuries have disrupted his progress over the past 18 months.”

While expressing admiration for Embleton’s past performances, Critchley acknowledged that he remains a Sunderland player currently involved in their pre-season preparations. “He’s someone we hold in high regard due to his time here, but we respect that he belongs to Sunderland and has been getting game time with them,” Critchley added.

Having begun his career with Middlesbrough, Embleton later transitioned to Sunderland where he honed his skills within the club’s youth system, accumulating 92 senior appearances and contributing 11 goals and 10 assists. In addition to his spell with Blackpool, Embleton has also had stints with Grimsby Town and Derby County, although his time with the latter was hampered by injuries, limiting his appearances last season across both clubs.