Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley hailed Bradley Ibrahim as a natural leader after the midfielder scored his first goal for the club in the 4-2 victory over Stockport County.
The 20-year-old summer signing produced a commanding performance at Home Park, capping it with a low drive that restored Argyle’s two-goal cushion early in the second half.
Cleverley’s Praise
“He didn’t put a foot wrong,” said Cleverley. “He’s a leader for 20 years old and today was an outstanding midfield performance from Bradley. He’s 20, we have to remember that, but my challenge to him is to be more consistent. He knows that, but we’ve seen what Bradley’s ceiling looks like and it’s really exciting.”
The Pilgrims’ boss, who lifted the Premier League with Manchester United and represented England on 13 occasions, has been quick to identify Ibrahim as a key part of his rebuilding project at Home Park. Signed from Hertha Berlin in the summer, Ibrahim had already impressed with Crawley Town on loan last season before making the switch back to England.
“Unbelievable” Feeling
For the player himself, the moment carried extra significance after a testing first half that saw him penalised for a foul on Nathan Lowe, leading to a Stockport penalty. Ibrahim responded in perfect fashion after the break, drilling home to the delight of the Devon crowd.
“Scoring my first goal for the club is an unbelievable feeling,” Ibrahim told BBC Sport. “The fans are some of the best that I’ve played in front of and it’s just a great feeling. I looked up to the gaffer even before he was my manager and he’s just a great person to learn from. He really helps me with the small details.”
Argyle went on to claim only their second league win of the season, easing some of the pressure after a difficult start. For Cleverley, Ibrahim’s influence both on and off the ball is a clear reason for optimism as he looks to build momentum in League One.
Writer’s View
It is rare to see a young midfielder settle so quickly into a new environment, but Ibrahim’s maturity has stood out from his very first appearances in green. Cleverley’s praise highlights not just his technical ability but also his leadership qualities, a trait that could prove invaluable for Argyle across a demanding campaign.
With consistency the next challenge, this performance felt like the beginning of a player ready to grow into a pivotal figure for the Pilgrims.
