"A lot of eyes" - Mick Beale makes Dan Neil claim as Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs eye Sunderland star | OneFootball

Sunderland AFC manager Mick Beale believes the upcoming Newcastle United game is important for Dan Neil and his progression.

The midfielder has been excellent for the Black Cats this season, and Beale will be hoping his main midfielder can shine again on Saturday.

Neil’s form for Sunderland hasn’t gone unnoticed, with it being reported by Sunderland Nation, that Premier League trio Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the player.

Neil was of interest to Liverpool during the summer, and it seems they haven’t gone away, while other teams from England and abroad circle with interest.

But while there may be talk off the pitch, Beale wants his player to focus on his game and continue to play as well as he can.

Speaking ahead of Sunderland’s massive FA Cup third-round tie against rivals Newcastle United, Beale has set midfielder Dan Neil a challenge.

As stated, Neil has been linked with Premier League teams Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham in recent days, but Beale wants his midfielder just to focus on his game and show that he can play at that level on a regular basis.

Beale told BBC Radio Newcastle’s Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes: “Dan’s a fantastic player. There’s a lot of eyes on Dan because he’s got a lot of potential. Hugely important player in our squad and I’ve been super impressed with him since I joined the club.

"It’s important for him that he focuses on his game and plays well because this is the level he wants to play at regularly, you know, against these players.

"He’s going to go in and challenge himself against international midfielders and I think that Dan, from what I can see, has more than enough potential to go and play at that level regularly and so this is an opportunity for him this weekend.

"So, push everything else aside and play the game that’s in front of you. I think that’s what the best players do. They find a calmness where other players maybe are not able to do that.”

Dan Neil’s stats for the 2023/24 season

Ever since breaking into the first team a few seasons ago, Neil has continued to shine for Sunderland.

This season is no different, as the 22-year-old has played in every single league game barring one, and that was due to suspension.

Neil was vitally important under former manager Tony Mowbray, with the manager on numerous occasions praising the player. But even with Beale coming in, Neil has continued to impress and be important in the team’s engine room.

The Sunderland man has started every game he has been available for in the league, during which he has scored four goals and recorded three assists.

He will be looking to improve that tally in all competitions when they face Newcastle this weekend.

The Newcastle United game is a big opportunity for Dan Neil

This FA Cup encounter is not only big for both football clubs, but it is also important for a player like Dan Neil.

The midfielder has been touted as a future Premier League player for a while now, and he will want to show on the biggest of stages that he belongs at this level.

The 22-year-old knows he just needs to keep his head down and focus on his game, and the rest will follow.