Derby County academy graduate Louie Sibley has now explained the key reason why he left Pride Park after sealing a permanent move to Oxford United.
Derby announced the shock departure of Louie Sibley on Tuesday evening. The talented youngster left Pride Park after more than 14 years and 173 appearances for the Rams.
Sibley made his Championship debut for his boyhood club in March 2020 and has since been a regular fixture in the first-team.
Last season, the versatile Englishman tallied 44 appearances across all competitions, predominantly as a left wing-back, as Paul Warne’s men sealed promotion back to the second tier.
The Rams academy graduate was expected to sign a new contract at the club following promotion, although he declined the offer and has now explained a key reason behind that decision.
Louie Sibley explains key reason why he left Derby County
Sibley went through the academy setup at Derby as a fleet-footed attacking midfielder, capable of operating in the left, right or central channel.
That became evident when he scored a stunner against Blackburn Rovers on his full league debut, as the precocious talent wreaked havoc from a central position.
Sadly, a lack of consistency in his performances saw other players preferred in that position over the years and more recently, he’s been used as a left wing-back.
Although he performed well in that position last term, producing two goals and four assists in 13 appearances, as per Transfermarkt, Sibley has made it clear he wants to play as an attacking midfielder.
Following his move to Championship rivals Oxford United on Wednesday, Sibley said in his interview: “I want to be a midfielder in those areas where I can get on the ball and be in the pockets. I feel I’ve got that quality to drive past players and I want to give everything for the shirt.”
Clearly, the 22-year-old was promised an attacking midfield role at the U’s and that is one key factor behind moving on from Derbyshire.
Paul Warne preferred to use Louie Sibley as a left wing-back
The talks between Warne and Sibley over a new contract with the Rams haven’t been made public, although the manager’s plans for him next season could have swayed his decision.
Sibley was one of Derby’s brightest performers last term from a left wing-back role, a position he was likely to continue in ahead of 2024/25.
Warne is on the lookout for a completely fresh midfield, signing Ben Osborn to perhaps play a central role in his starting XI.
The next player he’d like through the door is Cardiff City’s Ebou Adams, who flourished on loan last term, with the club now confident of securing a deal.
With Warne seeing Sibley as more of a left wing-back than an attacking presence centrally, the reason why the Englishman has chosen to start a new chapter of his career isn’t surprising, as he’s been promised a key midfield role at Oxford.
The post 'I want to...': Louie Sibley explains the key reason he left Derby County as Warne mistake highlighted appeared first on Derby County News.
