One Sunderland player linked with a move away could seriously hamper the Black Cats, according to fans.
Sunderland have had a brilliant 2024/25 Championship season, despite their recent dwindling form.
As a result, the Black Cats are feeling the effects of the double-edged sword, which has seen several top sides tout their interest for the top performers in the side.
Unsurprisingly, Jobe Bellingham has been linked with several Premier League sides in recent times, including Nottingham Forest most recently, whilst Chris Rigg and Dan Neil have attracted interest from West Ham. The latter, Neil, has also sparked interest from Roma.
Following the flurry of interest in Sunderland’s midfielders, many took to X to explain their discontent over losing one of them, one that has been regarded as the ‘ best midfielder by a long way’.
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Sunderland fans react to Dan Neil links away as they praise ‘quality’ Black Cats man
Neil has shone under Regis Le Bris this season, and has embraced a new-look role for himself, which has seen him sit slightly deeper in comparison to previous years.
As team captain, Neil has taken on much responsibility, but has weathered the storm and done brilliantly to help steer Sunderland towards a very likely play-off finish.
Unfortunately, this has meant that teams have identified Neil as a transfer candidate, particularly sides in the Premier League, and it could be difficult to tempt the Sunderland captain away from such a move, if they aren’t promoted this season.
One fan took to X to express their views on the midfielder, who said: “He’s one of the current lot that I’d be gutted to see leave. I find it utterly bewildering there’s people who still don’t rate him. Quality player.”
Their opinion was backed up by another Sunderland fan, who said: “[He’s] our best midfielder by a long way, so this doesn’t surprise me at all. Also, a very good thing big clubs are showing interest shows we’re doing something right.”
Others followed suit in this opinion, with one suggesting he will ‘pray it’s not him’ who leaves Sunderland, and another described Neil as ‘top draw’ and that ‘he had a rough start to the season but has come on leaps and bounds since then’.
Black Cats have bargaining tool to tempt Dan Neil to stay
The last week or so, the amount of links away from Sunderland that several players have had unsurface is incredible, and the fact that the Black Cats have so many players in demand just reflects on how well they have done this season.
It is always difficult to ensure a player stays focused amid links to clubs elsewhere, but Sunderlansd have successfully retained both Rigg and Bellingham’s focus on the rest of the season, as well as their priorities of ensuring that the club has the best chance possible of achievement promotion to the Premier League, and as a result, there is no doubt tjat Neil will want to follow suit.
Playing for his boyhood club and leading them out every weekend is something he won’t want to relinquish any time soon, and that could be enough to sway his decision to remain on Wearside.