Sunderland’s young midfielder Dan Neil has told how he decided to stay and fight for a first-team spot rather than head out on loan.
The 19-year-old made his senior debut for Sunderland way back in 2018, but until now has rarely played rarely for the first team, instead plying his trade in the u-23s.
Over summer, new manager Lee Johnson wondered whether to send Neil out on loan where he might have a better chance of getting the 25 games a season which Johnson thought he needed. In the end, Neil stayed, and has established himself as a first-team regular.
Explaining the thinking behind the decision, Neil told Red & White, “Being around the first-team lads, seeing the physical and mental sides of the game and taking in as much as possible from away trips has helped me learn a lot in the last year.
"I was training with the first team as much as possible but playing a lot of games in the U23s in the second half of the season once it was established that I wasn't going on loan.
"Myself and the gaffer sat down and said that was the best thing for me."
He also explained his desire to work with the new regime at Sunderland, “I decided that there were Papa John's Trophy games to play, and I wanted to stay and learn the head coach's philosophy, if not for that season, then for this season.
"If I'd gone on loan I'd have got first-team experience, yes, but I needed to learn the tactical side of what the gaffer wanted.
"Staying here for the rest of the season helped me massively coming into this season.
"I was delighted to play as much in pre-season as I did, and I felt the benefit of remaining here throughout last season and learning what I learnt.
"I appreciate a lot how much of an opportunity the gaffer gave me to bring what I had to the table for the season ahead.”
Neil has played every game for the Black Cats so far, including in the league and in the EFL Cup.
