Given Warne’s history of three relegations at this level, he is hoping for a change in fortune with Derby, understanding the challenges of the unforgiving division.
The club is well aware that strengthening the squad is crucial for their chances of remaining in the league, and recent transfer rumors suggest they may soon bolster their attacking options with an exciting new signing.
It would put a nail in Dwight Gayle’s short-lived Derby career, with the 34-year-old scoring a handful of goals to play his part in Warne’s men achieving promotion before injuries got in the way.
Derby looking at Championship star
However, Derby County is not the only interested party eyeing the 30-year-old attacker. Clubs like Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Hull City are also gearing up to make offers for Windass, whose contract is set to expire next month.
Windass showcased his abilities by scoring a stunning goal against Blackburn Rovers during a winning streak that culminated in a remarkable survival feat for Sheffield Wednesday. As a result, he is now weighing his options ahead of the next season.
If Derby manages to secure a deal for the talented Windass, it would not only bolster their squad but also make a strong statement in their new division. This potential move could also help the club move past the disappointment of failing to sign Michael Smith from Sheffield Wednesday during the January transfer window.
Windass, who can operate as either a center-forward or an attacking midfielder, presents an enticing option as an upgrade over Dwight Gayle, particularly due to his recent impressive performances in scoring crucial goals for a team battling relegation in the Championship.
Why Windass Could Outperform Dwight Gayle
Despite Gayle’s past reputation as a prolific scorer in the second tier, having netted 62 goals in 145 competitive league games, his recent seasons with Stoke City were challenging before his move to Derbyshire.
Gayle only helped himself to an abysmal three goals from 50 games at Stoke, so Windass’ coolness in front of goal even when the tension was building in a dramatic bid to avoid dropping down to League One means he is the more reliable option out of the two in the here and now.
| Josh Windass’ numbers in the Championship for Wednesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games played | Goals | Assists |
| 2023/24 | 25 | 6 | 2 |
| 2020/21 | 41 | 9 | 6 |
| 2019/20 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | |||
Windass showcased his prowess by scoring half of his goals towards the end of the season, validating the “game-changer” label given to him by his manager long before this critical phase. Should Derby face relegation threats in the upcoming campaign, Warne would consider Windass a sensible addition to bolster their squad.
Having also scored 12 goals as a centre-forward during his tenure in South Yorkshire, Windass presents a new and energetic option for the Rams, contrasting with the established styles of James Collins and Conor Washington in the forward line.
Given that Smith, who was previously a transfer target, has scored two fewer goals this season than Windass,
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply