UPDATE: Derby County have signed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The winger made 18 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season in league one. Derby were first reportedly interested in the player in the winter of 2020. At that time we spoke with Nathan Walker, Sports journalist for Media Wales, TalkSport, LoveSport Radio and creator of Ninian Opinion and Nigel Harris, a Cardiff City season ticket holder about Mendez-Laing, his time at Cardiff and what he could bring to Derby. You can read their thoughts below.
Derby are reported interested in bringing free agent Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to Pride Park. He was released by Cardiff City last fall and is currently unattached. We spoke with Nathan Walker, Sports journalist for Media Wales, TalkSport, LoveSport Radio and creator of Ninian Opinion and Nigel Harris, a Cardiff City season ticket holder about Mendez-Laing, his time at Cardiff and what he could bring to Derby.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was at Cardiff for a long time. Why was he released?
NW: We genuinely have no idea. Those of us in the media are none the wiser as to what went on and the fact it hasn’t come out since is weird in itself. It was Neil Harris who had the final say though so it must have been a serious breach of trust.
NH: It remains shrouded in mystery and Cardiff City's best ever kept secret. The club have refused to offer any comment or reason and NML's only statement was to thank the fans. Rumours abound on social media but even those usual 'in the know' fans don't seem absolutely sure. The fact no other club snapped him up immediately when Cardiff sacked him at start of season, which was expected, or as a free agent until now has added to the mystery. Whatever it was, it must have been serious. I've never known the club sack a player before, especially one they could have easily just sold for £2m+.
Was he an important player for Cardiff?
NW: He was very important. He did have spells where he was ineffective, usually the winter and down to his asthma, but he was a key player in taking us up and looked good in the Premier League.
NH: Hugely. Cardiff storming their way to the play-offs earlier this year saw NML (Mendez-Laing) in full flow, producing probably his best sustained football performance levels while here. Hopes were high that he was going to be our feature player this term so losing him on the eve of the season is undoubtedly a factor why Cardiff have fallen away.
What were his highlights for the Bluebirds? Was he well thought of by the fanbase?
NW: The highlights were his winner at Wolves to make us go top with six wins from six at the start of the year we went up. And then his two goals in a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on the last day of 2018-2019. He was well thought of, he was sometimes frustrating but we liked him.
NH: Adored by the fans...and still much missed. A key player in our 2018/19 promotion season and he performed very well in the Premier League, none more than when he got both goals in a 2-0 Cardiff win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. (Maybe that's when Wayne Rooney took note!)
What are his strengths?
NW: His strengths are his pace and skill. When he’s on it he is a nightmare for defenders and he tore apart a lot of the full backs at the bigger PL clubs. He also doesn’t lose confidence and will keep trying to beat his man.
NH: Blistering pace, power, strength (his upper body looks more like a bodybuilder than footballer), can play left or right wing (right is his natural side), a good eye for goal (he loves to cut inside and sweep shots to the far opposite corner, with fair success too).
What are is weaknesses?
NW: His delivery could be better, with crosses often either hitting the first man or going over everyone. As mentioned he can be inconsistent and sometimes you just want him to keep it simple and not overdo it.
NH: Inconsistency, he is a hit or miss player. So he can be frustrating and even anonymous some days. He's either brilliant or awful, rarely just average. Does have his injury issues too with time out every season at the Bluebirds. Seems to be outstanding start and end of season but mid-season was often a struggle for him. Asthma has been mentioned as affecting him some games.
He’s known for having a bit of pace. But is there more to his game than that or is he strictly a pace merchant?
NW: His pace is his main asset but he can do a lot of good stuff aside from that.
NH: Very hard to get off the ball, defenders can bounce off him when on the charge. Got a trick or two in him too. Very exciting at his best, I don't think there is another player like him at this level.
Derby manager Wayne Rooney likes players who are committed to the cause and give 100% in training sessions and games. Is Mendez-Laing this kind of player?
NW: Nothing worried me about his training level. His commitment could be questioned due to an obvious mistake on his part which forced his Cardiff career to end but there won’t be a better coach to get a player to focus than Rooney.
NH: Cardiff fans have wondered if he trains more on his physique than his football. He took a hiatus on Instagram after his Cardiff sacking but restarted it recently showing him training in Dubai so we guessed a return to football was probable. He is not renowned for being there in the heat of the battle on the pitch but his ability to take play from one end of the pitch to the other when under pressure makes up for that.
What will it take for him to be successful in Derby?
NW: He just needs to get his head down and do well because he has the ability. He’s left a few clubs in weird premature circumstances so it’s evident he needs some guidance so that’ll be an issue for Derby. There’s a player there and I’m sure he’ll show you in glimpses but it’s just keeping him on the straight and narrow for his entire time at Derby.
NH: I suspect he has not played football for five months or trained with any team either so patience may be needed but I have little doubt he will be an asset and light up the place (accepting he will have good and bad games).
Is there anything else we should know about him?
NH: He has had problems with attitude and discipline at all his clubs (Cardiff aren't the first club to get rid of him) and had a bit of a social reputation at Cardiff too, early years especially. He seemed more settled recently, older with a wife and very young baby. He never moved to Cardiff despite his three years at the club, staying in hotels instead mostly, but home was Birmingham so being at Derby probably helps home life too.
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