Ibe is back! But what has he been up to since he was called back from Pride Park (or iPro Stadium) the first time. We spoke with Rob, an AFC Bournemouth supporter and Peter Bell, a massive AFCB fan, and creator of Cherry Chimes, to find out about Jordon Ibe's time on the South Coast from those on the terraces. You can follow Rob on Twitter here and Peter here!
What were your initial thoughts when he signed permanently for Bournemouth?
Rob: I was excited, I thought we paid over the odds, but what can you do. I thought he was gonna be a revelation.
Peter: Initially, I was optimistic that Jordon Ibe would flourish at Bournemouth. He cost £15 million and was our record signing at the time. Bournemouth were in the Premier League and they had just completed their first season at that level. Signing players from Liverpool was a sign of how far the club had risen, even if Ibe hadn't been part of Liverpool's starting eleven.
Where did it go wrong for Jordon Ibe at Bournemouth?
Rob: It went wrong from the off if I'm honest. You could see the price tag weighed heavy, something he said after his first season. It went wrong because he didn't seem intelligent enough to do what manager Eddie Howe asked.
Peter: Jordon fell out of favour within the first couple of seasons at Bournemouth. He always looked the part in that he could beat a player, but then he usually lost his way in not looking up to find a team-mate, crossing poorly, or just losing the ball halfway up the pitch. He had some moments in Carabao Cup games when he did well, but he was never consistent. What did it in for him though was his inability to prove to Eddie Howe that he respected the club and what he needed to do to be a top player. I don't think he put the hard work in which Eddie Howe expects and his off-field antics finally meant he was not going to get any more chances at Bournemouth. Once David Brooks had been signed, there was no way Jordon Ibe was going to get a run in the team again.
Where there any bright spots for him during his time with The Cherries?
Rob: Yes, glimmers. When he played on instinct, he was promising to good. However, he had to over think because a lot was required of him, so he lost his natural flair.
Peter: As I said, he did okay in a few cup games and scored a few goals. But he was never consistent enough. I believe most of the fans wanted him to do well and yet he hardly got much further than the bench for most of his time at the Cherries. The 2017-18 season was probably his best. He scored against Arsenal and Burnley that season and did okay in a three-man attack when he could move across the front line. But he has always been a layer that will please and frustrate in equal measure. Just when you think he is a world-beater he fluffs the last line. That was Ibe's Bournemouth career.
What was the main frustration with him amongst Bournemouth fans?
Rob: The frustration is what I've eluded to. Football intelligence (and off field intelligence, caught drink driving after he crashed into a building) he seemed to struggle with the simplest task, he just seemed as though he didn't know what was expected of him.
Peter: It was just that we knew he had the talent and the pace to beat defenders and get fans on their feet. He just couldn't deliver that every week and in the end, I think he felt it too hard to play for AFC Bournemouth because he knew he hadn't done enough in past games. Once his confidence went, I don't think he found it easy to rebuild the trust with Eddie Howe. The fans still wanted him to do well but he just couldn't respond.
What can Derby fans expect from him? Is he the same player he was when at Derby in 2014 or has his game changed, matured or developed since then (and in what way)?
Rob: Its hard to say. His stint here was pants. He never played consistently, he didn't score or assist as much as everyone hoped. He may have matured, i know he's a dad now, but his last first team outing for us was a long time ago, he's very much out of match practice.
Peter: You could be lucky and find the player that Ibe has always had the potential to be. But equally, Derby could find that Jordon needs too much attention to get him to play well in your team. He knows it's really his last chance to prove he can be a top player and maybe he has grown up with all the off-field problems and will knuckle down now. Bournemouth's regime may have been too strict for him. There's no doubt he has natural ability, but you have to graft to be the best. I think that is what Ibe might not be so good at expressing. He has a chance to do that though now at a new club.
Do you think he can rediscover his form at Derby?
Rob: I think he could be electric in the championship, I don't think he can ever be a consistent Premier league player. The ability is undoubtedly there, and he hopefully resets himself.
Peter: I think the jury is out as it always has been with Jordon Ibe. He is still young and the next two to three years should be when he is at his best. Someone can probably unlock that potential, but he didn't make it at Bournemouth, or Liverpool and you have to wonder if he has it in him to prove people wrong.
Do you know if Jordon Ibe has been training anywhere during preseason?
Rob: Absolutely no idea, I don't follow his socials, I haven't heard anything!
Peter: I am not aware that Jordon Ibe did any training with Bournemouth or elsewhere in the summer. He was pretty much out of favour by December last year when Eddie Howe knew of his coffee bar accident and he had burnt his bridges in terms of playing for Bournemouth again. That was definitely the case when there was an investigation into him breaking the lockdown with a haircut.
I imagine he will need to do a bit of conditioning work, but if his heart is in it, it won't take him that long to be match fit. He was never a player that looked overweight. I hope Ibe does better at Derby than he did with Bournemouth.