That’s great news for Derby County and their fans! Paul Warne’s experience in securing promotions in the past with Rotherham United seems to be paying off, as Derby County has made significant progress since their shaky start. The team’s success can also be attributed to the impact of new signings who have performed well and contributed to the club’s strong position in the League One table.
Promotion to the Championship would be a significant achievement for Derby County and would undoubtedly bring a lot of excitement and optimism to the club and its supporters. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds for them, and hopefully, they can maintain their form and secure that automatic promotion spot.
| Derby County – 2023/24 signings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed From | Loan/Permanent |
| Curtis Nelson | Blackpool | Permanent |
| Callum Elder | Hull City | Permanent |
| Joe Ward | Peterborough United | Permanent |
| Sonny Bradley | Luton Town | Permanent |
| Josh Vickers | Rotherham United | Permanent |
| Martyn Waghorn | Coventry City | Permanent |
| Tyrese Fornah | Nottingham Forest | Permanent |
| Conor Washington | Rotherham United | Permanent |
| Kane Wilson | Bristol City | Permanent |
| Elliot Embleton | Sunderland | Loan |
| Tyreece John-Jules | Arsenal | Loan |
| Ryan Nyambe | Free Agent | Permanent |
| Corey Blackett-Taylor | Charlton Athletic | Loan |
| Ebou Adams | Cardiff City | Loan |
| Dwight Gayle | Free Agent | Permanent |
It is likely to be another busy window for the Rams this summer, with a host of senior players out of contract, and upgrades will be needed to the squad, particularly if the club are in the Championship.
With that in mind, we looked at what Derby’s dream summer transfer window could look like.
In: Dan Barlaser
With several key midfielders like Conor Hourihane, Korey Smith, Liam Thompson, and Louie Sibley out of contract, and Max Bird’s departure to Bristol City, Derby County’s midfield department is in line for a significant overhaul this summer.
Manager Warne has a history of targeting players he’s previously worked with, and one potential reunion could be with Middlesbrough midfielder Dan Barlaser.
Barlaser spent over three successful years with Warne at Rotherham, helping secure two promotions from League One during that period. However, he left the New York Stadium last January to join Middlesbrough.
While Barlaser initially showed promise for Boro, particularly in the first half of his debut season, he struggled to consistently break into the starting lineup as the team reached the playoffs. Despite featuring more regularly this season and contributing five assists in 34 appearances, he hasn’t been able to win over all the supporters.
Amidst Middlesbrough’s mixed form this season, Barlaser has faced criticism from fans and recently lost his starting spot after Lewis O’Brien’s return from injury. This uncertainty over his future at the Riverside Stadium could pave the way for a potential move to Derby County.
Although there might be some concerns about Barlaser’s potential signing, he has demonstrated his quality at both Championship and League One levels. Warne’s familiarity with Barlaser’s abilities and his knack for getting the best out of players could make Derby an attractive destination for the midfielder to reignite his career.
In: Michael Smith
Former Rotherham player Michael Smith, who currently plays as a striker for Sheffield Wednesday, is someone that Warne might consider bringing to Pride Park.
Smith made the switch from Rotherham to Sheffield Wednesday in June 2022 and played a pivotal role in their promotion from League One last season, tallying 20 goals and eight assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
However, Smith has seen limited playing time in the Championship this season, often coming off the bench in his 26 appearances and scoring only three goals.
Derby reportedly made a loan offer for Smith in January, offering a significant wage contribution. However, Sheffield Wednesday was said to be asking for a high fee in return, leading to the deal not materializing.
Despite remaining at Hillsborough and featuring in their efforts to avoid relegation, Smith doesn’t quite fit into Danny Rohl’s tactical approach.
If Sheffield Wednesday gets relegated, they may opt to retain Smith given his impressive record in League One. However, with new strikers likely to join in the summer, the 32-year-old could become surplus to requirements.
Should Smith become available, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Derby renew their interest, and Warne could finally secure his target after a prolonged pursuit.
Out: Tyrese Fornah
Midfielder Tyrese Fornah made a controversial move from Nottingham Forest to join Derby County in the summer.
Fornah spent the previous season on loan at Reading, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. Despite Reading’s relegation from the Championship, his strong performances in the second tier suggested that he could make a positive impact for Derby in League One.
Initially a regular in the team during the first half of the season, Fornah has seen a decline in his playing time as the campaign progressed. The loan arrival of Ebou Adams from Cardiff City in January further pushed him down the midfield pecking order.
Considering the contractual situation in midfield, Fornah might get another chance next season if there are player departures. However, it’s uncertain if he will secure a regular starting role, especially if Derby gets promoted back to the Championship.
Derby could opt to loan out Fornah rather than sell him. Still, as a young player with potential, he could attract interest from other clubs if he becomes available for transfer, potentially generating a transfer fee that manager Warne could reinvest in strengthening the squad.
Out: Conor Washington
Striker Conor Washington made the move to Pride Park from Rotherham in the summer, reuniting with manager Warne after their previous collaboration at the New York Stadium.
Washington has never been known for prolific scoring throughout his career. Last season, he managed just six goals in 37 games for Rotherham, and he has struggled to find the net for the Rams this season.
The Northern Ireland international scored three goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances before sustaining a serious ankle injury in November, sidelining him since then.
With Washington, James Collins, Martyn Waghorn, and Dwight Gayle all being over 30 years old, Derby County’s forward line is in need of rejuvenation this summer.
Considering the goal-scoring contributions of Collins, Waghorn, and Gayle, Washington appears to be the most likely candidate to be moved on. Given that he is under contract until the summer of 2025, Derby will be looking to secure some compensation for his services in any potential transfer.
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