A journalist has explained the ‘one frustration’ Sunderland with Dan Neil have had in an otherwise standout campaign.
Despite only turning 22 years old this season, Dan Neil has now been a regular in Sunderland’s senior team for the past three years.
The midfielder’s time at the club has been up and down, having been linked with a move to the Premier League in 2021 before he was later dropped from the starting line-up as his form declined.
Neil enjoyed gradual improvements in the first campaign back in the Championship, before becoming a staple in the team this time round.
The 22-year-old has proven himself as an all-rounder, making the second-most tackles in the squad (74), the third-most interceptions (39), the second-most blocked passes (44), the third-most successful dribbles (42) and the third-most key passes (46).
Neil has been ‘unbelievable’ this term and continues to be linked with a move to the top flight, while he was also named the club’s Young Player of the Season.
Despite being arguably the Black Cats’ best player behind Jack Clarke, journalist Phil Smith believes there has been ‘one frustration’ with him – though it is something out of his control.
What has been Dan Neil’s ‘frustration’ this season?
Writing in the Sunderland Echo, Smith said: “A pillar of consistency across what was not a particularly easy campaign for the team. His game continued to evolve and he now has real steel and leadership skills to go with the technical quality that was obvious the moment he began to break into the team.
“The one frustration is that he hasn’t had the chance to impact games more in the final third, though that is more a reflection of the more disciplined role he has had to play. Something which surely needs addressing over the summer to allow him to show his full range of skills next season.”
Why Dan Neil needs more attacking freedom
Dan Neil is a player that would probably have a very good crack at playing anywhere on the pitch, and not many fans will have expected him to do so well in a much more defensive position this season.
The midfielder’s ability to tackle and sit in front of the defenders was arguably a weakness of his last time out, but he has now proven he can pretty much do it all.
However, that isn’t to say he should continue in that role, and I hope Corry Evans’ impending exit doesn’t mean he will be forced to continue there.
Sunderland desperately need to bring in some defensive midfielders this summer and allow Neil to push further forward.
While he won’t guarantee the goals of Jack Clarke, Neil is brilliant at putting in through balls, creating chances and moving into space.
We still need a lot of depth in the attack, but Neil can also be a real threat if he is allowed to move further forward.