Chris Rigg decision could spell end for Tony Mowbray favourite at Sunderland
Regis Le Bris caught Sunderland supporters by surprise on Sunday with his selection of Chris Rigg against Aston Villa.
There were rumours that Sunderland could be without Habib Diarra through injury, and they came to fruition when the manager’s lineup was announced.
With no disrespect intended to Rigg, his selection was unexpected, given that he had played just two minutes of Premier League football prior.
While his rare start did not last long, it suggests that a favourite under Tony Mowbray could soon be ousted at the Stadium of Light.
Dan Neil faces uncertain Sunderland future after Regis Le Bris snub
Neil’s Sunderland contract expires at the end of the season, meaning his days on Wearside could be about to end.
Last term, the academy product was one of the first names on the teamsheet and improved his performances to lead the Black Cats to promotion.
However, after losing his place and captaincy to Granit Xhaka, it means that he is finding opportunities incredibly sparse under Le Bris.
- Neil made 47 Championship appearances last term, including the play-offs
- He has made 199 appearances for the Wearsiders
- Made his Premier League debut with a one-minute cameo against Villa
Indeed, with Diarra sidelined, it provided the perfect chance for the central-midfielder to stand in and fight his claim for a starting place.
Over the years, Neil has shown that he can play several roles within midfield, having played as a six and an eight.
However, Le Bris opted to give Rigg his first Premier League start, leaving the depleted Neil to watch on from the bench.
Such a decision will surely raise questions in the 23-year-old’s mind, and he now faces a critical decision on his future.
- Read more: Dan Neil could join ‘top-end’ Championship club in January as Sunderland frustration emerges
What Tony Mowbray said about Dan Neil
Le Bris suggested that Neil still has a place within his squad despite his captaincy being offered elsewhere.
However, given that he is yet to sign a fresh contract on Wearside, it does make you wonder if the midfielder will decide to leave in search of first-team football.
Neil has impressed several managers during his Sunderland career, with Mowbray heaping praise on the 23-year-old.
“He’s an exceptional human being, and I pick him every single week,” Mowbray said via the Sunderland Echo in 2023.
“But if there’s one player who is going to get there one day through his work ethic… he’s wanting to do extra after training and he’s wanting to watch his clips to see his good moments and his not so good moments. That’s Dan Neil, he wants to get better, and our job as coaches is to make him a better player.”
Why I hope Dan Neil stays at Sunderland
With the influx of new arrivals at the Stadium of Light, it can be easy to forget about the players who brought us here.
However, I for one hope that Neil decides to commit his future to Sunderland and fight for his place in the team.
Yes, he will probably have to settle for a place on the bench for the time being, but there is a player in there, as Mowbray alluded to.
At 23, Neil already has mountains of experience under his belt and has taken his team from League One to the Premier League.
- He made 41 appearances in League One
- Neil has 131 Championship appearances to his name
Furthermore, training with Xhaka is only going to improve the midfielder, and if he can channel what he learns from his captain, then he can take his game to the next level.
The next couple of months will prove crucial to Neil’s future, but he must believe he still has something to offer his boyhood club.
Sign up for the Mackem News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Sunderland AFC news sent straight to your phone.