We assess how new Sunderland signing Alan Browne could fit in after arriving from Preston North End.While Sunderland’s striker struggles have been well documented over the last 12 months, the squad’s shortage of options in central midfield has also brought its challenges.
Ever since Corry Evans suffered an ACL injury in January 2023, the Black Cats haven’t acted to sign a natural replacement in the deep-lying number six position. Dan Neil has often occupied that spot, sometimes rotating with Pierre Ekwah, yet there has been a feeling the former could be better suited further up the pitch.
The way Neil has adapted to the anchorman role has been impressive, after initially struggling when Evans, who has now left the club, became unavailable. The 22-year-old has the confidence in possession to receive the ball from his defenders and move it up the field. During the 2023/24 season, only Swansea’s Matt Grimes (346) completed more progressive passes than Neil (313), according to FBref.
Neil’s game has also improved significantly out of possession since he’s moved into a deeper role, while Sunderland are fortunate the midfielder was able to start 42 league games last term, without a natural replacement. You only have to look at how the team lost its structure, albeit with 10 men, when Neil was sent off during a 4-0 defeat against Middlesbrough in October, and how the Black Cats struggled during the final three games of the campaign after the midfielder suffered an ankle injury.
