https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/the-neill-deal-why-sunderland-pounced-on-son-of-socceroos-legend-605333
Marcus Neill - son of Socceroos icon Lucas - has “ticked a lot of boxes” to land a switch from the Liverpool Academy to Sunderland, a move which has the potential to fast track the teenage striker’s football future.
Still just 15, Neill junior, who spent five years on Liverpool’s books, was headhunted by Sunderland's recruitment department and will link up with the Championship club's U-18s.
The playoff hunting Black Cats are already laden with talent in their early 20s and teens, with midfielder Jobe Bellingham, 18 - brother of Real Madrid and England star, Jude - a prime example.
There will be every opportunity for Neill, already high on the radar of Australia U-17s coach Brad Maloney, to develop and flourish on Wearside.
“We've known Marcus since he was a young kid at Blackburn before joining Liverpool,” said Sunderland's recruitment chief Stuart Harvey, formerly head of recruitment at Ewood Park.
“Liverpool is one of many clubs where we have developed strong relationships with, and as we know it can be really difficult for Academy players at Premier League clubs to have that pathway to first team football at the speed they would like.
"So we have to make sure that we’re in a position to act when those that don’t necessarily push on at these clubs become available.
“We jumped at the situation with Marcus and our Academy recruitment team, lead by Ian Archbold, did a great job in persuading both him and Lucas that coming here was the right place for him to be.
“It’s all about talent, and Marcus fits a model and the profile of the sort of player that we look for - he ticks a lot of the boxes and we believe that he can develop with us.
“Our model is giving youngsters the opportunity and platform to progress, and that’s what we aim to happen here.”
Harvey is mindful not to heap undue expectation on the intelligent forward, whose family pedigree in the form of famous father Lucas evokes obvious comparisons in how far he might progress in the game.
“The plan for him is to join the U-18s with an eye on the U-21s, but the last thing that we want to do is loudly broadcast his arrival to the world and place unnecessary pressure on the boy,” Harvey added.
“The Neill name in Australia carries a lot of weight, doesn’t it. Sometimes, though, that name can carry with it an unnecessary extra burden.
“Like many players whose families have footballing backgrounds, people naturally want to make a comparison with father and son, grandad, brothers or cousins, but for us it's important that we allow these players to express their talent in their own right and create their own unique identity.
“In Marcus’ case he aligns really well with our club values and our player profiles. He's a smart player, a good finisher, a really nice respectful lad, and we just want him to come in, enjoy his football and develop his game from there. He’ll be in the right environment to do that.
“Let’s just see how he gets on without putting him under undue pressure or scrutiny. He just needs to go under the radar now and hopefully we’ll see the fruits of his progress in a few years time.”
