Player Talent Scout: Louie Sibley

The Championship returned last weekend and Derby County’s 18 year-old midfielder Louie Sibley was the star of the show as he bagged an impressive hat-trick in only his second league start for the club as the Rams beat Millwall 3-2 at the Den.

He was one of four academy graduates to appear against Millwall joining Max Bird, Jayden Bogle and Jason Knight in the matchday squad and the current environment may suit a side with so many youngsters who are used to playing in empty stadiums in youth football.

Derby have one of the best youth academies in the country, and Sibley was a key part of the side that won the U18 Premier League in 2018-19. Winning the league qualified Derby for this season’s UEFA Youth League and Sibley was key in Derby’s run to the last 16.

He made 4 assists in 3 games as Derby knocked out Minsk and IA before he scored as the Rams knocked out German giants Borussia Dortmund. Sibley, and other key youth team players missed the Salzburg last 16 defeat as they were used in the first team’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United at Pride Park.

Sibley, who has represented England at U17, U18 and U19 level, impressed against United and was handed his first Championship start at home to Blackburn Rovers on 8th March, scoring in a 3-0 win in the final game before lockdown.

A left-footed attacking midfielder, Sibley loves taking players on, has an eye for a pass and scores and makes goals. He will benefit from the experience of Wayne Rooney alongside him in midfield and will surely be given plenty of game time as Derby look to break into the play-off places in what is a congested top half of the table with only three points separating Preston in 6th and Derby in 12th.