On-loan Middlesbrough midfielder Julien De Sart is yet to feature under Gary Rowett at Derby County – and don’t bet on him reversing the trend.
If Middlesbrough were hoping that Julien De Sart would return from a loan spell at Derby County a more confident, mature midfielder, they could be disappointed, the Derby Telegraph reports.
After drawing the ire of a number of Rams supporters following a series of displays characterised by horrendously misplaced passes, the 22-year-old Belgian was immediately and unceremoniously dropped as soon as Gary Rowett replaced Steve McClaren at the helm.
Subbed off at half time in his final two games under McClaren, De Sart has not featured whatsoever under the new boss. In fact, he is yet to even earn a place in the 18-man matchday squad.
Though Rowett insists that this is not due to any concerns over his ability, more due to his desire to plan for the season ahead. De Sart, with his loan move expiring at the end of the season, is not part of the club’s long-term future.
“I said ‘look Jules, you are on loan and I have got to plan with our own players at the moment so you won’t be in the squad. That doesn’t mean you won’t be in the squad moving forward, you will still have the same opportunities as everyone else’,” Rowett told the Derby Telegraph.
“It is nothing to do with him as a player, he is a good footballer and he has been really good in training. He has got lots and lots of talent.”
As it stands, then, it appears that De Sart has next to no chance of earning a permanent stay at Pride Park. Therefore, he will likely return to Middlesbrough in the summer to fight for his place although, with the manager who signed him now departed, it’s unclear what the future holds.
With Boro on the verge of relegation, he could even have a chance to prove a point to Rowett when the clubs inevitably meet in the Championship next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
