Neil's Black Cats situation and future explained amid interest
Dan Neil's future was back u n d e r th e m ic ro s c o p e o n Thursday evening, amid reports that Sunderland had rejected bids from Leeds United and Wolves.
Neil is reported to be closing on a new deal at the Stadium of Light. So what's the background and is there any cause for concern for supporters?
Here's what you need to know...
The Background: Bali Mumba's premature sale, not so long after Joe Hugill and Logan Pye left for Manchester United, proved to be a watershed moment in another summer of discontent.
Fan fury with the Madrox regime escalated to a new high point, and behind the scenes, the repercussions were significant.
Though the sale of young players was far from the only reason behind the anger, it was a key theme and the weeks and months that followed, a number of Stewart Donald’s key appointments left the club, with Jim Rodwell and the non-executive directors beginning to grow in influence.
Sunderland's academy was seen as vulnerable and so there waslittlesurprisewhenanumber of clubs began to take an interest in Neil, another superb talent playing in a struggling team.
Leeds are a growing threat on Sunderland's doorstep, newly awarded Category One status and investing heavily in their U18 and U23 teams.
Young players are increasingly attracted by the prospect ofworkingwithMarceloBielsa, with the U23 side closely intergrated with the senior set up.
Crucial days: Still just 18, Neil had flown a little under the radar when it came to discussion around youngsters who could push for inclusion in Phil Parkinson's set-up.
Jack Diamond and Elliot Embleton were the two deemed most likely to break through, and indeed both still are expected to do so over the course of the campaign.
Neil, though, seized his chance. The youngster was impressing not just Parkinson and his staff in training, but his team-mates, too, with lightning-quick feet and real composure in the final third.
Crucially for Parkinson, his running numbers were also right up where they needed to be.
Quality is one thing, but you can'tbeanattackingmidfielder in his side without the capacity to press and press again.
When Embleton picked up an injury in the opening game pre-season, Neil got his chance.
H e'd i n i t i a l l y n ot b e e n named on the team sheet, and had to dash down the tunnel at Gateshead's International Stadium to get ready.
He played well, and has kept producing.
As Parkinson reflected on his progress after the club's final pre-season friendly, he revealed a conversation that by and large put an end to any summer transfer speculation.
“As a young player, you don't get the chance in football to feel your way in," Parkinson said.
"You've got to take your chance and make an impact when you come to train with the first team.
“Dan is a player that, there's been clubs talking about Dan in the summer, but he's got a desire to play for Sunderland. He's right in amongst it."
Moving forward: Neil just missed out the start of the season, but did feature against Aston Villa U21s in a 8-1 EFL Trophy win.
On his performance that night, Parkinson said: “At the start, the game was quite frenetic, but I thought Dan grew into the game and did well.
"I just said to him after he’s just got to learn that he doesn’t have to try something every time he gets the ball, sometimes he just has to keep it simple and wait for the moments.”
There has been some disappointment that Neil, as well as Diamond, is yet to be included in a League One matchday squad.
Speakinglastweek,though, Parkinson insisted that would change at some stage in the season.
Neil's next opportunity will likelybeinthenextEFLTrophy game against Carlisle United at the beginning of October.
With six games left to play
in the month after that, Parkinson is convinced that chances will come.
"After these first few weeks the games come thick and fast, with all the midweek games. I'm confident that when they get that chance, they will take it,” Parkinson added.
“With a player like Jack Diamond, we wouldn't be keeping him with us if we didn't feel that when the opportunity arises, we won't give him a chance.
"Of course, there'll be frustration but the senior players have got do their bit to keep hold oftheshirt atthemoment.
“TheplayersI'vementioned will stay with us until January to see if they can force their way into the first team, and while they do that they'll help
strengthen up the U23 team.”
The shift in thinking that Neil represents: Mumba's departure, and the wretched results of last season, seemed to finally force a shift behind the scenes.
Paul Reid's replacement is curiously yet to be appointed, with CEO Rodwell clear that a key part of the academy manager's role will be to work on retaining talent.
The club have also moved to try and bring the U23 closer to the first team.
They will mirror Parkinson's preferred style and shape, andbebolsteredbyseniorplayers who need minutes.
Pa rk i n s o n trave l l e d to Burnley to watch the club's openingleaguefixtureonMonday, with a strong Black Cats side named.
They lost 3-2, but Parkinson said he was pleased with the performance, that it had beenworthy of a result and that Burnleyknewtheyhadbeen'in a game'.
Only time will tell how strong the commitment to improving the pathway to the first team and holding onto young players is.
It's worth remembering, too, that at 18 Neil has time still firmly on his side. At the moment, he is contracted to the club in the final year of his scholarship deal.
A professional deal is surely the perfect way to underline his exciting progress, and the soonerthathappensthebetter.
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.