Regis Le Bris' emphatic pledge on Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham amid transfer talk
REGIS LE BRIS is confident Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham want to remain at Sunderland this month, even if they are the subject of offers from Premier League clubs.
And having held a series of recruitment meetings with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, the head coach also expects the Black Cats hierarchy to do everything they can to keep the club’s biggest talents on Wearside for the final stages of the promotion push.
Neil’s future has been called into question in the last 24 hours, with the Wearsider having been linked with potential moves to Everton and West Ham United. Bellingham was the subject of a failed bid from Crystal Palace in the summer, and has been touted nationally as a potential target for Manchester United this month.
Le Bris always expected some of Sunderland’s bring young talents to be linked with moves away this month, but is adamant Neil and Bellingham want to stay on Wearside for at least the remainder of the current campaign.
“We have good players, and because we have good players, we can have a lot of interest about them,” said Le Bris. “The long-term is one timeline, but when it comes to the short-term, the most important thing is the connection to the team.
“I think these players, in their mind right now, have the story that we are living. They are so connected that, for me, they want to stay here.
“Now, on the opposite side, they have to find a solution about their contracts and their futures, that is normal. But, for me, to story we are living now is the best element for the next few weeks and also after the transfer window.”
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Crucially, Le Bris is also confident that Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will be doing all they can to keep the current squad intact no matter what offers arrive ahead of the transfer deadline on February 3.
While the Sunderland hierarchy sanctioned the sale of Jack Clarke in the summer, they have turned down offers for a number of players in the last 18 months and appear more than willing to do so again with the carrot of potential promotion to the Premier League dangling tantalisingly within reach with the Black Cats fourth in the table ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Plymouth.
“If you look at the owner, the sporting director and the recruitment structure, then I think we are really connected about the opportunity we have this season,” said Le Bris. “We all know the opportunity is there, and we want to do everything we can to try to make it happen.
“Then, on the other side, even if a massive offer was to arrive, the player has to sign and say, ‘Yes, I want to leave’. Hopefully, all of those things will mean that the decision in the end is really clear.
“It is normal to have these conversations about our players, but at the same time, what I can feel in the dressing room and here in the building every day, it shows that we are all so connected with the story we are living right now.
“That is not that common, and we all know that. In professional life, moments like these are very rare, so we have to enjoy them. Even if money is here, or promises are there – what we are living right now is really important.”
Neil’s importance was highlighted by Le Bris’ decision to hand him the captain’s armband in the summer, although the 23-year-old’s long-term future remains somewhat uncertain given that he has entered the final 18 months of his current deal.
Le Bris claims contract talks are ongoing, and is in no doubt as to the 23-year-old’s value, both on and off the pitch.
“I don’t know what is happening with his (Neil) contract at the minute,” said Le Bris. “I know that the club, with Kristjaan especially, has many conversations with his agent. That is probably in progress, although I don’t know exactly.
“He is a very important player for us. On the pitch, it is sometimes not easy to assess the way in which he helps the team to solve the problems we face. He is tactically very smart and can understand what happens on the pitch very quickly.
“He can solve things, and share with his team-mates what is important to do. If it doesn’t work, then he will change later and he has a very good connection with the staff.
“He is the captain. Sometimes, you can have the armband but not necessarily lead on the pitch. With him, he is very impressive.”
