With the January Transfer window looming, it is natural for the rumour mill to go into overdrive. One rumour that for Sunderland supporters which will not go away surrounds midfielder Dan Neil.
The central midfielder has excelled in his first season as a first-team player with a succession of excellent performances, earning him high praise and international recognition with England. Premier League clubs have taken notice of his form, his young age and undoubted potential. With the Black Cats battling for promotion, they should under no circumstances let their best academy product since Jordan Pickford and ‘one of their own’ leave the club.
Sunderland Should Resist Any Offer Made For Dan Neil
Premier League Club Showing an Interest
As reported recently in the Chronicle, Premier League side Burnley are showing an interest in the 20-year-old. The report suggests that Sean Dyche could be set to test Sunderland with a £3 million offer.
The Clarets are willing to spend in January in an attempt to strengthen their squad, especially with rising stars and Dan Neil fits the bill. Burnley’s chief scout Martin Hodge watched the impressive Neil at Arsenal, and despite Sunderland suffering a defeat, Neil and his teammates let no one down and performed impressively.
Whether an official bid will be received is yet to be seen; however, Sunderland, if they are serious about getting back amongst the elite of English football, should under no circumstances allow the midfielder to leave Wearside in January and beyond.
New Contact Signed
Local lad Dan Neil has had an incredibly successful season so far. This is his first season as a first-team regular and has impressed all concerned with his all-round game, assists, and goals. In October a new deal was signed to hopefully keep him on Wearside until at least the summer of 2025.
Upon signing his new contract, Neil said how much he was delighted to be staying at the club he supports and wants to help them get back to where they belong. He told safc.com: “Everyone knows that I love this football club and I love playing for it. It’s a dream come true to be playing in the first team and I’m loving every minute of it, but I want more and I want to be playing in the higher divisions for Sunderland. I want to be part of getting this club back to where it belongs and there’s nowhere I would rather be, so I’m delighted to have extended my contract.”
Lee Johnson’s Message to Highly-Rated Dan Neil
Upon hearing the news that one of his key players was attracting interest from the Premier League, Sunderland Head Coach Lee Johnson had a message for his young star and hoped that he would achieve his aim of playing at the top level of football while playing in the red and white of Sunderland. He said: “I think the important thing for Dan is he keeps improving.
“I’m on him all the time. Even today, there will be two or three things that I pick out on the video that I just want him to keep being relentless and doing the things that he does well more often.
Football can bite you in the backside. The minute you think you’ve cracked it, all of a sudden you’re going to have bad run of form, find yourself out of the team or get a little knock or niggle. He’s just got to stay in that growth mindset and keep improving his game.
“Inevitably you find your level. If Dan Neil’s level is the top level, which we hope it is, we really hope it’s with Sunderland and not anybody else.”
‘One of Their Own’ In Contention to be Player of the Season
“One of our own” is now a familiar song at the Stadium of Light and it is sung for Dan Neil. Born in South Shields, the 20-year-old grew up as a Sunderland supporter and rose through the ranks at the club’s academy. For many who have watched him, it could come as a surprise that this is the first season he has been a first-team regular. For those who see him play on a regular basis, many would pick him as their player of the season so far and a leading contender for the award at the end of the season.
So far, the young midfielder, who can also operate at full-back has registered three goals and eight assists across all competitions. The young playmaker also has one of the best pass completion rates in the division with 82.5%. Statistics such as these make Dan Neil a key player for Sunderland and if the club are serious about promotion to the Championship and eventually the Premier League, players such as Dan Neil must be kept.
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