Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien has issued a heartfelt defense of Dan Neil’s professionalism as the midfielder nears a potential departure from the Stadium of Light.
Despite being a cornerstone of the club’s back-to-back promotions, Neil has seen his playing time diminish following Sunderland’s move up to the Premier League. He was left out of the squad for the recent 3-1 loss to West Ham, a move head coach Régis Le Bris attributed to a minor injury and the “acceleration” of transfer talks.
O’Nien on Neil: “Driving the Standards”
O’Nien, who has also found himself on the fringes of the starting XI this season, emphasized that the club’s culture is built by those currently out of the lineup.
- Professionalism: O’Nien praised Neil for training at maximum intensity every day, despite his lack of minutes.
- A Boyhood Journey: Having watched Neil’s progression from the academy to a double-promotion-winning leader, O’Nien expressed immense pride in the midfielder’s contribution to his hometown club.
- The Unseen Work: O’Nien highlighted that while fans only see the matchday XI, players like Neil, Simon Moore, and Leo Hjelde are responsible for “driving the standards” behind the scenes.
| Player | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Neil | Potential Transfer / Muscle strain | Omitted from squad; talks ongoing. |
| Granit Xhaka | Ankle Injury | Out for 2+ weeks. |
| Luke O’Nien | Tactical / Selection | Training |
