How Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is getting on with Paul Warne after leaving Derby County | OneFootball

We looked at how former Derby County winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has fared since his surprise move to MK Dons.

In one of the most eye-catching transfers of the summer in the EFL, winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing departed Championship side Derby County for League Two outfit Milton Keynes Dons.

After rejecting the offer of a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday, Mendez-Laing joined Derby on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 following their relegation to League One.

Mendez-Laing scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in 51 appearances in his first season at Pride Park as the Rams narrowly missed out on the play-offs, and he took his form to another level the following year to help his side to automatic promotion, netting 10 goals and registering 18 assists in 50 games.

The 33-year-old was named as Derby's new captain by manager Paul Warne following promotion, but he lost the armband to Ebou Adams after the arrival of new head coach John Eustace in February, and while he ended last season with three goals and four assists in 44 games, many of his appearances came from the bench in the final stages of the campaign.

After falling out of favour under Eustace, it was little surprise to see Mendez-Laing leave the Rams this summer, but his next destination certainly was a surprise as he dropped down two divisions to join MK Dons, where he linked up with Warne once again.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing completed Paul Warne reunion with shock MK Dons switch

MK Dons finished 19th in League Two last season after an incredibly underwhelming campaign, but Warne steadied the ship after taking over from Scott Lindsey in April, and he oversaw a huge overhaul of his squad this summer.

Mendez-Laing became the Dons' first new addition of the summer when he completed his move to the Stadium MK in May, and while the deal grabbed plenty of headlines, he was one of a number of high-profile signings made by Warne during the transfer window.

Warne also brought in Gethin Jones, Kane Wilson, Marvin Ekpiteta, Jon Mellish, Will Collar, Aaron Collins, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Callum Paterson this summer, and his strong recruitment led to many tipping MK Dons to win the title in League Two this season.

Mendez-Laing expressed his delight after his switch to Dons was announced, and the Guatemala international admitted that the opportunity to work with Warne again played a big role in his decision to join the club.

"I'm buzzing, happy to finally get this deal done! It's a project that I'm really excited about, and I can't wait to get going," Mendez-Laing told the club's official website.

"I've always kept in touch with the gaffer (Paul Warne), he's someone I highly respect. When the conversation happened, there was instant interest from my side. He's a great and honest man.

"I've come from the Championship, which shows the project this club is aiming for and the type of person the gaffer is. I can't wait to get going, the facilities here are amazing and I've always loved playing at Stadium MK. As I said before, I can't wait to get going because it's an exciting season ahead."

As Mendez-Laing continues to settle in to life in Milton Keynes, we looked at how he is getting on with his new club.

How Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has fared at MK Dons after Derby County exit

Mendez-Laing looked to be an outstanding signing for MK Dons at League Two level, but it is fair to say he has perhaps not quite hit the levels that many expected of him just yet.

The winger provided his first assist for the Dons in their 5-0 hammering of struggling Cheltenham Town in mid-August, and a week later, he opened his account for his new club as he netted from the penalty spot in the 2-1 victory at Newport County.

However, those remain his only goal contributions so far in an MK Dons shirt, and his side's form has declined dramatically in recent weeks, with Warne's men picking losing at home to Walsall and Grimsby Town and drawing at Chesterfield in their past three games, which has seen them drop down to 10th in the table.

Further alarm bells may be ringing for Dons supporters after they were beaten 5-1 at home by West Ham United's Under-21 side in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, but Warne did name a much-changed team for the game, and Mendez-Laing was not involved in the squad.

Given that Mendez-Laing has started all seven league games he has been available for this season, he is likely to return to the starting line-up for the visit of Accrington Stanley on Saturday, and he will need to help MK Dons get back to winning ways as their promotion push continues to falter.