Regis Le Bris has all but confirmed Dan Neil’s future after what happened in Sunderland loss vs Man City
Dan Neil’s Sunderland career appears to be over.
Sunderland fell to a 3-0 defeat away to Man City; a scoreline which suggests that the Black Cats were not at the races, though that wasn’t necessarily the case.
Man City simply outclassed Sunderland on the day, and given the gulf in quality between the two sides, there are going to be encounters like that throughout the course of the season.
However, while a lot of the focus will be on the game itself, a decision made by Regis Le Bris has painted a very clear picture as to where the future lies for Neil.
Dan Neil is edging closer to January exit
As soon as Josko Gvardiol doubled City’s advantage in the first half, it became apparent that the game had gone for Sunderland.
Phil Foden’s second-half goal made sure of that, and Le Bris reacted with two changes of his own, much to the delight of the Mackems.
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki were withdrawn, meaning they will be able to feature in next week’s Tyne-Wear Derby having escaped a fifth yellow card of the season.
However, Le Bris opted to take two central midfielders off and replace them with two wingers, as opposed to handing Neil his Premier League debut.
Neil is the only midfielder yet to make an appearance for Sunderland this season, and if it isnt going to come when the only other two are withdrawn, it’s hard to see it coming at all.
What has Regis Le Bris said about Dan Neil’s contract situation?
This time next month, Neil will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs from abroad with a view to leaving for nothing in the summer.
Since last season, there have been murmurs of a contract extension, and Le Bris was quizzed on it back in August.
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, he said: “It’s the normal life of a player and a club.
“It is always a shared decision in the end. If we can’t find a solution and he stays, then I, as a manager, will be happy because he is a good player and a good person. He is really well-connected with the project.”
“Then at the end of the season, if he has to leave, then he will leave if we can’t find any other solution. I still think there is a chance of progress [over a contract], though. I am still optimistic.”
As things stand, it seems highly unlikely that a new deal will be coming his way.
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