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“They’ve both been absolutely excellent and it’s nice to play in midfield with such a developing talent”- Sunderland’s standout duo praised as Dan Neil expresses admiration for the in-form players.
The composition of Sunderland’s squad highlights how 22-year-old Dan Neil is seen as an elder statesman among Regis Le Bris’ team.
Neil was just six when Roy Keane led Sunderland to the Championship title and only beginning secondary school when Fabio Borini put Gus Poyet’s side ahead in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City.
Now, with over 160 first-team appearances and the captain’s armband, Neil is considered a veteran in a squad built on youth and emerging talent.
He is three years older than his midfield partner Jobe Bellingham and five years senior to Chris Rigg. Despite being the most experienced of the trio, Neil is thrilled to partner with two players defying the idea that successful promotion campaigns rely solely on seasoned Championship experience.
Neil praised his teammates, saying, “Jobe and Riggy are still pretty new on the scene. They’ve been absolutely brilliant, playing so many minutes this year. It’s nice to have them in front of me. I’m getting old now—I need the legs in front of me!”
After spending much of last season playing as a forward, 19-year-old Bellingham is thriving in his preferred midfield role under Le Bris, recently scoring his second goal of the Championship season with a powerful header in a 2-0 win over Oxford United.
Meanwhile, Rigg, at just 17, continues to attract interest from top clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, proving to be one of the most sought-after young talents in the Championship.
Neil commended their performances, stating, “They’ve both been excellent. They have mature heads on their shoulders and understand it’s just the start of the season. They want to contribute throughout the whole campaign. It’s exciting to see Rigg improving week by week, even if he gets frustrated when substituted.”
Le Bris recently experimented with Neil in a deeper role during a victory against Luton Town. While he has the potential to be an outstanding deep-lying playmaker, Neil’s assist for Wilson Isidor’s goal against Oxford showcased his skills in attack, marking his third consecutive game with an assist.
Isidor also made an impact, scoring four goals in six starts, highlighted by a stunning finish assisted by Neil, further cementing his impressive form.
