Julio Arca issues ‘confident’ verdict on Sunderland captain Dan Neil
Former Sunderland star and coach Julio Arca has spoken about how Dan Neil has adapted to the pressure of being named team captain.
Neil has been a mainstay in the Sunderland side for several seasons now and his current role in the side has been a huge change in comparison to the past.
The midfielder was named team captain for the season as well as being asked to play a deeper role in Regis Le Bris’ system and Arca thinks that he deserves the captaincy.
Speaking on Total Sport (29 October), Arca said: “Some things can work in different ways. Obviously being the captain of any football team gives you more responsibility.
“But Dan (Neil) seems to be taking this role very well. He’s a confident boy. I remember I used to coach him in the U14s when I was in the Sunderland academy, and he’s always been a confident boy.
“Obviously now, he’s a man. He’s not a boy anymore. He’s growing and his footballing is growing as well, and I think he deserves to be a captain.”
Dan Neil is crucial to the current Sunderland side
While his early season performances perhaps didn’t match the levels he is capable of, his recent ones certainly have and the midfielder has played a crucial role in aiding the Black Cats to open up a five-point gap at the top.
His assist for Wilson Isidor’s goal, which left the Oxford boss stunned, just showcased the ability and quality he has on the ball.
It feels like Neil has been around for a lot longer than he has at Sunderland and it is crucial to remember he is still only 22 years old. For most teams, that would be classed as a young, promising player.
With Sunderland having such a heavy emphasis on youth, it often gets forgotten that Neil has years ahead of him and will make mistakes. He is still young himself.
The continued absence of summer signing Salis Abdul Saemd meant that Neil kept his place in the side even when his form didn’t deserve it but it appears to have done him the world of good as seen in recent weeks.
His recent performances are the ones Sunderland supporters became accustomed to and the longer they continue, the better chance the Black Cats have of achieving promotion.
In other Sunderland news, the club released a statement (30 October) regarding their desire to have a full stadium after the final whistle at home games.
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