Last Word on Football’s EFL Ones to Watch series takes a look at Football League players who could earn a lucrative move in the next transfer window, whenever that may be.
EFL Ones to Watch: Rob Dickie
Young Defender With Mature Attitude
23-year-old Oxford United centre-back Rob Dickie has come on leaps and bounds since his arrival from Reading in January 2018.
The young defender took time to settle in but made 15 appearances following his arrival. Manager Pep Clotet, who was sacked not long after the defenders’ arrival, and his replacement Karl Robinson both found it difficult to select their strongest centre back partnership, with Aaron Martin, Mike Williamson and skipper Curtis Nelson often being rotated.
The following season, Dickie eventually formed a strong alliance with Nelson and established himself as the perfect partner. Dickie made 48 appearances in all competitions, with Nelson making 54. John Mousinho, who also covered in defence but was preferred in a holding midfield role, also made over 40 appearances.
Helped by Mousinho and Nelson’s experience, Dickie began to look comfortable on the ball and was able to play out from the back – something Robinson insisted his team should do.
Despite a poor season in which the U’s spent most of the campaign in the bottom four, Robinson’s side eventually finished 12th, but it was to be a significant summer.
This Season – Solid, Skipper and Sensational
Nelson left to join Cardiff City and Mousinho was looking to take a more behind the scenes role, leaving Dickie as Robinson’s first-choice centre back. Elliott Moore arrived from Leicester City and, as it turned out, Mousinho has ended up playing more than expected, but it’s been Dickie who has organised and controlled the Oxford defence.
The 23-year-old has taken on much more responsibility within the side. His skill from playing out from the back has excelled since last season and the defender is solid in the air. After Mousinho picked up an injury after the new year, Dickie was given the armband until the end of the season.
As a result, Premier League side’s Southampton and Burnley have kept tabs on the defender, as have Championship leaders, Leeds United. Dickie signed a contract extension earlier this season but it’s widely expected he will be off for bigger and better things in the summer and from the evidence of this season, he is fully deserving of the opportunity.
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