Derby County should try to sign Liverpool player again after recent developments: View

After Derby County released their retained list last Saturday, it’s evident that their midfield options are quite limited heading into the 2024/25 Championship season. To address this, the Rams should consider pursuing Liverpool’s Bobby Clark to aid in their rebuilding efforts.

Paul Warne had previously expressed interest in bringing Clark to Derby last season. However, Jürgen Klopp opted to keep the young midfielder at Liverpool to further his development. Despite this decision, Clark only featured in five Premier League fixtures and a few cup matches during the 2023/24 campaign, spending most of his time with the U21s.

In addition to Clark, Derby has been linked with Barnsley’s Herbie Kane. Currently, the only midfielders still contracted to the Rams are Darren Robinson, Tyrese Fornah, and Liam Thompson. The club is also reportedly considering making the loan signing of Cardiff City’s Ebou Adams a permanent move as they aim for survival in the 2024/25 season.

Barnsley’s failure to earn promotion may have signalled the end of Herbie Kane’s time at Oakwell

Bobby Clark is one of Liverpool’s most exciting prospects

At just 19 years old, Clark is one of the most exciting players in Liverpool’s development sides. He joined from Newcastle United in August 2021 for a fee of £1.5 million, signing his first professional contract with the Reds a year later.

In his first season in the north-west, the son of former Newcastle and Fulham star Lee Clark helped the Reds into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League. He also scored 13 goals in 23 U18 Premier League North games, as well as picking up five assists as his side finished 2nd in their half of the table.

An energetic, high-pressing player, Clark impressed against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League back in March, scoring the second in a 6-1 romp over the Czech champions at Anfield.

Jürgen Klopp was particularly pleased with Bobby Clark’s performance, deciding to keep the young talent in his plans for the rest of the season amid a major injury crisis in Liverpool’s midfield. Klopp praised Clark, saying, “That was a top performance from Bobby. A real performance. A goal, yes. But he set up whichever goal by winning the ball back up high, really high pressing situation – top, top, top. And then controlling a football game, with all the excitement inside that he definitely still has, is fantastic.”

Clark’s season, unfortunately, ended early due to a back injury, but he is expected to be fully fit before pre-season starts.

 Derby’s Midfield Dilemma

Derby find themselves short in midfield after letting go of Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, whose contracts expired on June 30, 2024. Additionally, both Adams and Max Bird have returned to their parent clubs, leaving the recruitment team with a pressing need to strengthen the midfield.

Warne’s most experienced midfielder, Thompson, 22, has struggled with injuries, spending most of the promotion season on the sidelines. Despite his potential to play a significant role in the Championship, he will need quality support around him to help the Rams survive.

Fornah, 24, who joined the club last summer, has yet to secure a permanent place in the team. A back injury delayed his impact on the pitch, and his initial performances have been less than inspiring, which could concern the management.

Robinson, 19, is the most inexperienced of the trio, having only made the bench a handful of times in League One last season. Although he is a promising talent for the future, he may need a loan move to gain first-team experience, as the Championship might not be the best environment for his development right now.

Potential Boost for Derby

Derby could see a boost in their chances due to Klopp’s departure. The Rams were previously denied Clark in both the summer and January transfer windows last season. The England U20 international had impressed former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders even before his first-team call-up. However, with both Klopp and Lijnders leaving Liverpool, Clark’s game-time might become more limited, potentially increasing Derby’s chances of securing him on loan.

Arne Slot, officially announced as the Reds’ new manager on Monday, might choose to send the young star out on loan to accommodate his own signings. With Derby’s recent promotion back to the Championship, they could be the ideal club to take the midfielder on.

The Rams have a strong history of nurturing young talent, especially in midfield. Players like Jason Knight and Max Bird are prime examples, having played over 100 games for the club before moving on. Additionally, stars such as Mason Mount and Harry Wilson have thrived during their loan spells at Pride Park.

Warne’s primary loan target from previous seasons might be set to return to DE24 next season, potentially benefiting all parties involved.

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