Sol Sidibe reveals his own Stoke City heroes and ambitions for the New Year
It was only about 10 years ago when Sol Sidibe was at the Stoke City junior Christmas party as a guest rather than the VIP.
Sidibe, the 17-year-old England youth midfielder, was with Jaden Dixon, Emre Tezgel and Eric Bocat at the bet365 Stadium to meet dozens of the club’s youngest supporters and remember what it was like when he was in their shoes.
“I was like them once, not so long ago actually,” he said. “I remember watching Stoke when I was younger and even watching them train. When I was really young, probably in about 2015, I remember meeting Mark Hughes, Nzonzi, Muniesa, those kind of players. That was great.
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“So I appreciate what it means to be that young fan and what it means to meet a first team player. I know it’s a big deal and it’s important that we spend that time with them.”
Sidibe’s Christmas wish is probably to make sure he uses the platform he has laid in the last 18 months to propel himself up the first team pecking order. He made his senior debut at the start of 2023/24 and has already been involved 10 times this term, including a couple of starts.
He said: “There have been ups and downs in 2024. I’ve been away with England, made my first start in a league game for Stoke and featured more regularly for Stoke. It’s been a big year for me. I’ve made a lot of improvements, developed a lot and I want more of the same next year.
“I’ve always had belief in myself and my ability so I expect a lot for myself but I still probably wouldn’t have expected to do what I’ve done so far this season.
“It’s huge for me in 2025. I turn 18 and in terms of football it takes me to a new threshold and try to become a more senior player in the football world.”
The next big hurdle is to stay on the pitch more regularly and keep a starting shirt. Whatever happens, though, he wants to keep learning as much as he has done to get to the point.
He said: “You want to play as many minutes as you possibly can and I probably haven’t played as much as I have wanted but every single experience, whether I’m on the bench, playing or not involved, is something to learn from.
“I’m still young and we have some top, top players in our squad who I can learn from and take inspiration from. I think that every single time, whether I’m playing or not, is an opportunity for me to learn and that’s how I’ll always see it.”
The teenager has been used in a couple of different positions in midfield under Alex Neil, Steven Schumacher and now Narcis Pelach and he is capable of turning his hand to whatever is required.
“It’s been varied,” he said, when asked what was his best role in the middle of the pitch.
“Even under Schumacher previously I played sometimes in a deeper role and sometimes as an 8. With Narcis we have different formations we can play but the role I’ve played under him most has been as a 6, the double pivot.
“I’ve enjoyed it to be honest, it’s a position I think I’m quite comfortable in and every time I’ve had the chance I’ve tried to make sure I give my all. That’s something I’ll continue to do.”
He also wants to continue shining on the international stage. There was a four-way fight for his allegiance between France, Mali, Senegal and England and it was England who won out – and he led the under-18s out as captain last month.
He said: “We had a camp in October when I was captain but hadn’t started the game as captain, I took the armband during the game. Then in the last game we had I started the game as captain.
“It’s definitely a proud moment. Not many people get to captain their national team at any group so it was really big, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully I get to do it again.”
