[ad_1]
Teden Mengi’s mortgage spell at Derby County has been a stop-start one thus far.
Previous to final evening the Manchester United loanee had been chosen to start out simply one in every of a potential six video games for the Rams, and that one was at right-back.
Mengi lastly acquired his begin at centre-back final evening… and it didn’t go effectively in any respect.
Derby have been battered away at Cardiff Metropolis, shedding 4-0, Wayne Rooney’s worst consequence as supervisor.
It was a consequence equalling their worst of the season, which got here again in September.
What occurred?
Derby have been outplayed by a superior, in type facet in Cardiff who’ve now gained 4 straight and are within the play-off spots.
Mengi performed all 90 minutes as Derby slipped to a defeat which leaves them in 18th.
Cardiff have been 3-0 up after 56 minutes earlier than including a fourth aim in stoppage time.
Mengi noticed loads of possession, touching 125 instances in whole as Derby tried to play out from the again. He accomplished 93 per cent of his passes. Many of those passes have been to fellow centre-back Matthew Clarke, who racked up 130 touches.
He gained 5 aerial duels, greater than any Derby defender, though did not win a sort out.
An all-new defence is at all times a threat, and with a central midfield consisting of Rangers loanee George Edmundson and Everton’s Beni Baningmine, this was an evening the place Derby’s inexperienced backbone proved to be an actual weak level, with gamers who merely is probably not prepared for Championship soccer.
Regardless of all of the hype about Mengi, his under-23 performances for United within the first half of 2020/21 have been distinctly underwhelming. He appeared to lack the commanding and guaranteed presence he confirmed final season.
This mortgage spell at Derby was at all times going to be very difficult for him, and after a consequence like final evening, Rooney is likely to be apprehensive to place him in once more.
Cardiff’s extra skilled crew have been merely higher, with Wales worldwide Kieffer Moore on the scoresheet, together with Dutchman Leandro Bacuna, who has performed within the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Studying curve
That is merely a part of the expertise for Mengi. He joined a crew in a relegation combat and Derby’s inconsistent outcomes mirror that.
Wayne Rooney continues to be studying at administration degree too, and being one in every of three younger mortgage gamers within the beginning line-up didn’t make it straightforward for Mengi on his first begin, with two teenage Derby academy graduates among the many starters too. This was an evening the place an excessive amount of rotation backfired.
It wasn’t one of the best early impression for Mengi to make on Derby followers, however hopefully they gained’t write him off after one unhealthy show. In the event that they did, it will not be shocking, soccer could be so fickle, and he should show them incorrect.
It was a courageous resolution from United to ship Mengi on mortgage to the Championship at simply 18. Final evening could have been a shock to the system, a troublesome actuality verify.
That is one to chalk as much as expertise, and hopefully Mengi will nonetheless get an opportunity to play a component in just a few wins earlier than the season involves an finish.
Have one thing to inform us about this text?
[ad_2]
Source link