Paul Warne has once again showcased his prowess as a manager specializing in promotion, this time achieving success with Derby County in League One. This latest promotion marks Warne’s fourth such accomplishment on his managerial record, with three of those achievements attained with Rotherham United before his tenure at Pride Park.
Throughout the season, numerous players in Derbyshire contributed to the Rams’ promotion, including experienced figures like Sonny Bradley and James Collins. However, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, despite being 32 years old, stood out as one of the standout performers. Since joining Derby on a free transfer in 2022, Mendez-Laing’s value has risen significantly, despite initial struggles during his time at Sheffield Wednesday.
Mendez-Laing’s impact was particularly evident in the 2023/24 season, where he played a pivotal role in securing Derby’s promotion to the Championship. Labelled as crucial to his team’s success by football journalist Jacob Hackett, Mendez-Laing’s performance exceeded expectations. He ended the season with an impressive tally of 27 goal contributions from 50 games, solidifying his status as a talisman for the team.
Despite Mendez-Laing’s stellar contributions, his current valuation stands at £775k, surpassing even younger talents like Louie Sibley, whose value was once considerably higher. Sibley, a versatile 22-year-old who has been with Derby since 2010, also played a significant role in the team’s promotion, contributing seven goals and five assists across all competitions.
As Derby prepares for life in the Championship, Warne will look to Mendez-Laing and Sibley to build on their success and further enhance their value. Their outstanding performances in League One serve as a solid foundation for their potential growth in the higher division, which could see their market values continue to rise.
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