https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spo...29tHXMWLXdKKc9dM-KhtIys7o5TMtjXGy_PyAY7CPbreQ By James Hunter Pierre Ekwah has the attributes to become a 'top, top midfielder' according to his Sunderland teammate Dan Neil. Ekwah and Neil have developed a very effective partnership in the middle of the park since being paired together towards the end of last season and then into the current campaign. Former West Ham man Ekwah picked up a dead leg in Sunderland's win at QPR in mid-September which disrupted the partnership, and he returned for the game at Stoke City when Neil was serving a one-match suspension. But they were back alongside one another at Leicester City last week and then in the weekend win against NorwichEkwah's presence allowed Neil to push further forward from midfield to support the attack, which paid off as Neil scored his side's second goal against the Canaries. Asked about the 21-year-old, Neil said: "Yeah he's brilliant. He's got all the attributes to be a top, top midfielder. "Left foot, big, powerful, can strike a ball, scores from the edge of the box like we've seen this season. The dead leg kind of came for a bad time for him because he was finding his rhythm. "He looks back up to speed and looked really, really good on Saturday. I love playing in midfield with him because he's always looking to fire balls through the lines and if I'm not on he'll hit the switch and it's a chance for me to get in the box. "We are developing a good partnership, me, him and Jobe [Bellingham] and we just need to keep going." ….
Worth a few quid as well. If we don't go up this season there will be big bids for Neil in the summer. Think Ekwah and Jobe need another year playing personally but football is a funny old game.
It's incredible to be a Sunderland supporter at the moment ... .... after many years of it being like an irritating rash you couldn't shift off your ballbag. Young kids, who started going a few years back don't know how lucky they are.
I miss the days of signing the wrong player entirely......aka Milton Nunez Now we have young lads performing well on the pitch who will most likely make us enjoy watching them, make us a massive profit and, from my perspective anyway, if they've done the business and a big offer comes in I'll be wishing them all the best. It's a far cry from the 'last big payday' lot and the Ndongs of this world.
Yeah the two of them have great potential together and individually. They have the chemistry already and complement each other really well. Could be a future legendary partnership if the cards fall right.
I can’t see them all still being here in a years time. It’ll be a real test to keep Neil in the next couple of transfer windows.
IMO if we don’t get promoted by the end of next season most of our current Xl won’t be here come Sep 2nd 2025.
Agreed, it will be tough to keep Neil but, equally, we would want a huge fee. A factor on our side is he’s a hometown lad and is clearly enjoying his football. It’s up to the club to keep up with his ambitions and those of the other players, like Clarke, Ballard and Ekwah. It’s been said a few times but it’s a great time to be supporting the lads - that’s even before Rusyn and co get going.
I have a suspicion its TM,s plan to have them interchangeable, all three started out purely as attacking players, and slowly they are learning to defend as well, if this is the plan and it comes off, and its not far away imo we will have a midfield second to none in this division. OaU
I honestly wouldnt swap Neil and Ekwah as a midfield two with any other in this league. I havent seen a pair yet with so much scope and who are already high class. They are frightening in terms of where they might end up. People will laugh and point at Leicester but give me Neil over Dewsbury Hall any day thanks. If Dan Neil isnt playing champions league by the time he is 24 I will be amazed. Ekwah has the same scope and ia learning so fast it is crazy.
Seri last season and Morsy so far this season have been the 2 stand out CM’s for me. Obviously both got loads of experience though and I think both are what we really miss in that DM role. Seri would absolutely quality in that DM role with Neil and Ekwah making up the 3.
Good players mate. In their 30s though, which is part of the reason I would keep ours ahead of anyone. Ekwah and Neil both 21 - that is unbelievable. Certainly with Neil he is a much older head than his years. Like I say, they can be anything they want to be.
This... this is the "model" some said wasn’t working. Don't get attached to any player, big bucks coming our way.
Am I allowed to shed a tear and then crack the malt when Dan leaves. As an older middle aged bloke I love him and may be upset.
Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened*. (*It's not over, its just a quote from the front man of a band I like and if/when it happens i'll wish them all the best )
Don't think I've seen anyone I'd swap them for either. Given how young they are and how fast they're both progressing there's a very high ceiling for them. I like both of them too as people, they're completely different characters but clearly have a good understanding.
