Derby County secured promotion to the Championship by skillfully navigating the transfer market, acquiring low-cost talents who proved their worth. Players like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, James Collins, Sonny Bradley, and Curtis Nelson were all signed on free transfers, with Paul Warne’s side reaping the benefits by clinching automatic promotion from League One.
This quartet now aims to further cement their legacy at Pride Park by excelling in the Championship, potentially joining the ranks of past cult heroes discovered during Derby’s Premier League days in the 1990s.
Paulo Wanchope’s time at Derby.
All-time top Premier League goalscorers for Derby – top five | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Games played | Goals scored |
1. Dean Sturridge | 127 | 35 |
2. Paulo Wanchope | 72 | 23 |
3. Malcolm Christie | 92 | 22 |
4. Deon Burton | 118 | 22 |
5. Franceso Baiano | 64 | 16 |
Sourced by Transfermarkt |
Wanchope’s debut goal for Derby County alone cemented his status as a cult hero. With a silky solo run, he weaved through multiple Manchester United defenders before coolly slotting the ball home at Old Trafford. This moment alone would have secured his legendary status, even if he hadn’t become the club’s second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history.
After his stint with Derby, Wanchope continued his career at West Ham United and Manchester City, where he netted a combined 44 goals. Derby’s gamble on the Costa Rican forward paid off handsomely, proving to be a masterstroke. If a similar golden move were made in today’s inflated market, Derby would be ecstatic, as Wanchope’s value would now be significantly higher according to TotallyMoney’s Transfer Index.
As Derby County returns to the Championship, they aim to replicate such successful signings by uncovering more impressive and affordable talents. TotallyMoney has analyzed the 100 most expensive transfers since 1992 across Europe’s top five leagues, using historical financial data to estimate what past footballers would be worth today, considering the dramatic rate of inflation.
Wanchope’s value in 2024
Still, if they do return to the top flight eventually, they would love to have someone as daring as Wanchope in their ranks enthralling supporters with mazey runs and crucial goals.
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