During an interview with Football Insider, Kevin Campbell has backed Leeds United to sign Louie Sibley. The former Arsenal striker believes that the Derby County youngster is a talented footballer, who might be ready to make the jump to the Premier League.
“Listen, if Leeds United want Sibley then they believe that he is ready for the Premier League. If Leeds pull the trigger it would be a great move. He is a talented player and talented players in the Championship can make that jump to the Premier League. It is great that he is linked with Leeds and let’s see if they can pull it off.” said Campbell, when asked about the midfielder’s potential move to Elland Road.
What Can Louie Sibley Bring To The Table?
An attacking midfielder by trade, Sibley made his Championship breakthrough last season, netting five goals in 11 appearances. Unfortunately, the youngster has fallen out of favour under Wayne Rooney this term, mustering only 572 minutes of league football. Yet, He has attracted a lot of attention, particularly due to his playmaking qualities.
A natural left-footer, the youngster loves to take on opposition defenders. His quick feet, combined with excellent close control, allows him to dictate the play in the final third. Sibley is also quite dynamic, often looking to move forward as soon as he receives the ball.
However, what makes the Derby County youngster such an appealing prospect is his ability from long-range. The playmaker has a lethal left foot and often looks to test the goalkeeper with efforts from distance – making him quite similar to Chelsea star Mason Mount.
Is He A Good Option For Leeds United?
Leeds United could be in for a bit of an overhaul in the creative department, where the likes of Tyler Roberts and Pablo Hernandez have either underperformed or lacked proper game-time. The former has already been linked with a move away from Elland Road while Hernandez is in the final phase of this career. It sets up an ideal opportunity for Marcelo Bielsa to acquire the services of someone like Sibley.
The Derby County youngster is not one of the most established players in the Championship. But, he is certainly one of the talented ones. His ability to drift past defenders, combined with his long-range shooting prowess could add a new dimension to Leeds United’s offensive game. The 19-year-old could also be an ideal replacement for the ageing Hernandez while providing competition for Rodrigo Moreno.
However, Leeds United cannot afford to spend a fortune on Sibley given the current financial climate. Hence, a lot could depend on how much Derby County demands for their playmaker in this January transfer window.
