The beta version of Football Manager 2021 was released this week and supporters of Derby County and Sheffield United may look on with great interest.
With every Football Manager release comes a set of must-buy wonderkids.
The Rams currently boast one of the best academies in England, winning the Premier League 2 trophy in 2018 with a 5-2 victory over Arsenal in the final.
Both Derby’s U18s and U23s are going strong in their respective top-flights.
And as such, it comes as little surprise to see some familiar names among the list of the best wonderkids around according to the popular Football Manager franchise.
Jayden Bogle:
Jayden Bogle is one of a few Sheffield United players to make the list which also includes young goalkeeper Mark Dewhurst and talented forward Rhian Brewster.
Bogle came through Derby’s youth academy and burst onto the scene in 2018/19.
During Frank Lampard’s campaign as Rams boss, Bogle posted two goals and ten assists from right-back – bettering any other fullback at the time.
While Bogle didn’t replicate such heights during the 2019-20 season under Phillip Cocu, he still did enough to earn the call of the Premier League during the summer.
According to the Telegraph, he was sold alongside Max Lowe in a £10 million plus deal.
Liam Delap:
Striker Liam Delap also makes the list. Unfortunately for Derby, he is another player no longer at Pride Park after joining Manchester City in 2019.
The son of former Derby ace Rory Delap, the 6ft 1inch striker has already shown his huge potential, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Bournemouth.
Delap has gone on to make his Premier League debut. Under Pep Guardiola, he is likely to go from strength to strength with every chance of becoming a future England international.
Goal even compare the 17-year-old with Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
Louie Sibley:
Louie Sibley makes up the list of players to come out of Derby’s academy, and the 19-year-old is very much a popular figure among supporters at Pride Park.
The attacking midfield burst onto the scene last season, scoring five goals in nine league starts including a hattrick at Millwall in the first game back post lockdown.
Phillip Cocu, who has just left his Derby managerial position, jokingly said no team could afford Sibley when asked about potential interest from the Premier League.
According to Yorkshire Live, Leeds United are monitoring his progress.
The FM list ranks Sibley alongside Real Madrid’s Bruno and Theo.
Also see: Three Derby players who may immediately benefit from Cocu exit, including £3.5m ace
Also see: ‘No doubt the future is bright’: Cocu sends emotional Derby message following exit