I truly believe Dan Neil has what it takes at Sunderland after major injury blow
Dan Neil was a regular for Sunderland last season, but we have hardly seen him in the Premier League.
Sunderland are in an excellent spot right now, and I don’t think I will be alone in saying that I couldn’t have asked for much more after seven games.
We’re ninth in the Premier League, having maintained an unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light against recent European winners and a current Champions League side.
However, injuries have started to spark concern on Wearside, which has, in turn, got fans talking about the potential inclusion of Neil going forward.
I’ve seen a lot of fans opposed to the idea, but having watched him in near enough every game since he emerged from the academy in League One, I do not share the same concerns.
Noah Sadiki blow could see Dan Neil start in the Premier League
Noah Sadiki has suffered an ankle injury on international duty, which has ruled him out of DR Congo’s clash with Sudan on Tuesday night.
With Habib Diarra injured until at least December, that is now two key players sidelined, though to what extent we are still unaware.
| Sunderland | Potential return |
| Reinildo (suspension) | 25 October |
| Romaine Mundle | Late November |
| Habib Diarra | Early December |
| Aji Alese | Late November |
| Leo Hjelde | Late November |
| Dennis Cirkin | Late November |
| Noah Sadiki | Unknown |
Airing on the worst-case scenario, Sunderland will need to replace him, and with Chris Rigg, Lutsharel Geertruida and Neil, we have options.
However, I have seen more than enough from Neil over the last few years to suggest that he has more than enough quality to stand his own in the Premier League.
On the few occasions we have seen him since promotion, he has been playing with the fringe players, and that is very rarely (almost never) a fair time to judge a player on their performances.
Put Neil into a team with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Enzo Le Fee, and he will showcase his worth, just as he did in the Championship.
Dan Neil was one of Sunderland’s best players last season
I can’t tell you why, but homegrown players at Sunderland seem to get pushed to the side very quickly.
It happened with Anthony Patterson, George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch and now Neil himself.
Last season, Neil registered five goal contributions from midfield, which was only two fewer than Jobe Bellingham, who played a more advanced role.
Via FotMob, 83.9 per cent of his attempted passes were completed, with 1,612 passes in total throughout the campaign.
Neil’s stats last season
- 40 completed dribbles
- 81 tackles won
- 208 duels won
- 46 interceptions
- 31 chances created
Very few of these were extravagant passes that would make a highlight reel, but they were key passes that supplemented the build-up play that brought so much success.
Neil isn’t a flashy player, nor is he going to be as valuable to Sunderland as Sadiki will be, but I have no doubt in my mind that he can prove a lot of people wrong this season when given the chance.
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