Robbie and Roy Keane back ‘big, big player’ to possibly sign for Aston Villa or Everton

Follow us on Google Discover

Robbie Keane told Super Sunday on Sky Sports (29/08/21 at 1:45 pm) that he can see Dwight McNeil playing for an Aston Villa or an Everton.

The former striker claimed that the Burnley winger will become ‘even better’ in years to come, whilst Roy Keane stated that he is a ‘big fan’ and he is ‘not surprised’ that other clubs are looking at his talents. 

Still only 21, McNeil has years left to develop his game and become a top-quality forward player in the Premier League.

There have been previous suggestions that the likes of Everton and Villa have been keen on the England U21 international, although nothing concrete has happened yet. 

Firstly, Roy Keane shared his thoughts on McNeil as a player and what he lacks as he labelled him a ‘big, big player’, before his fellow countryman thinks he can ‘definitely’ go to the next level. 

“I am a big fan of him,” said Roy Keane. “I am not surprised that clubs are looking at him. He probably lacks that real pace for the bigger clubs to take a punt on him. He plays week in and week out. 

“Again, his stats, he can improve on his goals. But I really like him. He is a really good player and with the way Burnley play, his game is pretty simple. He is a fit lad. He was released as a young kid I think at Manchester United. He’s a big, big player for Burnley.”

Robbie Keane added: “He definitely has a lot of quality. If you want to get to that next level then you have to get those numbers high. 

“He’s only 21, but in a couple of years time, he will be even better. He is learning his trade at Burnley. You can definitely see an Everton or an Aston Villa taking a punt on him. That level.” 

A player with high technical quality, the ability to carry the ball from deep and a brilliant crosser of the ball, there is some serious talent in McNeil’s boots.

Whilst his numbers might not stand out on the page, it needs to be remembered that he is playing for a defensive-minded team and one that doesn’t have the resources of a top ten Premier League side.

So, if McNeil were to ever leave Turf Moor for a Villa Park, for instance, then it would be interesting to see how he would fare in a more attack-minded system.

But whilst a move to Villa looks unlikely now because they are stacked in that department, those at Goodison Park still need attacking depth and quality, so it will be interesting to see if anything, albeit unlikely, happens before Tuesday’s deadline.