Sunderland’s summer has been difficult thus far, despite their spectacular ascent to the Premier League.
In fact, Tommy Watson, their hero for scoring goals in the playoffs, has already left the Black Cats for Brighton & Hove Albion, and Jobe Bellingham may be leaving for German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, perhaps leading to a second high-profile departure in the middle.
To exacerbate the situation, there have been several whispers about Dan Neil’s immediate future at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland would undoubtedly find a third abrupt departure intolerable.
Neil’s future at Sunderland: the latest
Prominent defender Trai Hume is also on many summer shopping lists, as teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers start to show interest in the dynamic Northern Irishman, in addition to their indigenous captain reportedly considering a transfer elsewhere.
Although Hume’s departure would undoubtedly be devastating, three midfield departures would severely reduce Regis Le Bris’ midfield choices prior to their Premier League campaign. According to sources, Serie A powerhouse AS Roma is interested in Neil for roughly £15 million.
Although Bellingham may garner the most of the midfield news, Neil was Le Bris’s essential midfield glue last season, allowing the 23-year-old to miss only two league games during the season.
His unwavering commitment to the squad is demonstrated by his average of 5.7 ball recoveries per league game. If Sunderland’s worst fears come to pass, there is now optimism that a similarly nimble midfielder will be able to fill Neil’s void.
Neil’s next “outstanding” performance for Sunderland
Le Bris’ newly promoted team could target Tommy Doyle as a way to boost their reduced midfield numbers, according to a report from TEAMTalk earlier this month. The former Manchester City youngster could be available for as little as £3 million after finding himself surplus to requirements under Vitor Pereira at current employers Wolves.
While losing the long-time Black Cats servant would hurt in the short term, any wounds caused by his departure would soon be sutured by a Premier League-ready mid
Doyle’s 50 Premier League appearances for Wolves, aside from smashing home spectacular goals like the one above last year in the FA Cup, demonstrate his potential as a top-flight hero with the Old Gold before he fell down the hierarchy at Molineux.
Naturally, Neil also puts up a lot of work; he has a respectable total of 12 goals and 20 assists on Wearside, while Doyle has further demonstrated his resemblance to the Roma target from his time playing brilliantly in the Championship on loan at Sheffield United.
Aside from scoring incredible goals like the one above in the FA Cup last year, Doyle’s 50 Premier League appearances for Wolves show that he had the potential to be a top-flight hero with the Old Gold until he lost his place at Molineux.
Neil, of course, works hard too; he has a good 12 goals and 20 assists on Wearside, and Doyle has further shown that he resembles the Roma target from his great Championship performance when on loan at Sheffield United.
As revealed by Kristjaan Speakman, there is a “conversation” to be conducted over the midfielder’s contract and that of Dennis Cirkin. Ideally, Sunderland would retain Neil for their intimidating ascent to the top division.
Yet, Doyle could be able to step in and effectively replace Neil if he does want a new challenge away from his hometown team. Under Le Bris’s innovative coaching style, Doyle’s game might even improve.
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