Key Points:
– Derby County needs to act quickly in securing new players due to many current players’ contracts expiring.
– Potential signings like Lowe and Sørensen could bolster midfield and forward positions.
– Players like Currie, Ebiowei, and Clarke-Harris could be crucial in ensuring safety in the upcoming season.
Derby County faces a shortage of goal-scorers, midfielders, and defensive cover as they prepare for the upcoming season. The team is coming off a challenging period but could potentially see success with promotion from League One. However, manager Paul Warne now faces the task of assembling a squad capable of competing and ensuring safety in the second tier for the 2024/25 season.
Warne, who has yet to guide one of his teams to safety in this division, must swiftly pursue his transfer targets during what promises to be a hectic summer. With twelve of his current players’ contracts expiring, Warne’s task of rebuilding the squad is pressing and pivotal for Derby County’s upcoming campaign.
| List of Derby County players out of contract 2024 (TransferMarkt) | POS |
|---|---|
| Joe Wildsmith | GK |
| Scott Loach | GK |
| Craig Forsyth | LB |
| Darren Robinson | DM |
| Liam Thompson | CM |
| Conor Hourihane | CM |
| Korey Smith | CM |
| Louie Sibley | AM/LWB |
| Tom Barkhuizen (optional one year extension) | LW |
| Martyn Waghorn | ST |
| Dwight Gayle | ST |
| James Collins | ST |
The Rams will be looking to spend a transfer fee on a permanent deal for the first time since Kamil Jóźwiak joined in September 2020 for a fee close to €4 million, as reported by The Athletic. However, Derby should also be looking at the free agent market and making the most of players that look set to be released by their clubs.
Here are my top five picks for the Rams, that will help them towards survival in their first season back in the second division.
Jamal Lowe
AFC Bournemouth’s Jamal Lowe, who spent the 23/24 season on loan at Swansea City, is approaching the end of his contract with the Cherries at 29 years old. It appears unlikely that he will be offered a new deal.
Derby should capitalize on this opportunity, considering Lowe’s speed and experience as key factors that make him a target for this summer. The Rams heavily relied on set-pieces for goals during their promotion campaign, with 24 out of 78 goals coming from such situations. Standing at 6ft tall, Lowe also brings a physical presence to Derby’s forward line, posing challenges for opposing defenses.
In the previous season, manager Paul Warne grappled with injuries to all five of his strikers: James Collins, Martyn Waghorn, Conor Washington, Dwight Gayle, and Tyreece John-Jules. Lowe’s addition would provide much-needed depth in this position, strengthening the team’s attacking options and mitigating the impact of potential injuries.
Lasse Sørensen
Lincoln City’s Lasse Sørensen played a pivotal role in the team’s ascent up the League One standings in 2024. The 24-year-old Danish player excelled in the midfield under Michael Skubala, contributing significantly as Lincoln narrowly missed out on the playoffs despite starting the year in 11th place on New Year’s Day.
Operating in a deep-lying midfield position for Lincoln, Sørensen demonstrated exceptional defensive abilities by winning 81% of his tackles. Additionally, he showcased his offensive prowess by scoring four goals and providing eight assists, demonstrating his versatility in transitioning forward with the ball. This aspect of his gameplay could be of significant interest not only to Paul Warne, who might pair him with potentially returning Ebou Adams, but also in a new system altogether.
With no indication of a contract renewal at Lincoln, Sørensen is likely to depart Sincil Bank Stadium in the summer, making Pride Park a potentially enticing new destination for him.
Jack Currie
AFC Wimbledon’s Jack Currie has been a standout performer in the team’s defense this season, amassing nearly 3400 minutes of league football in 2023/24. Despite being just 22 years old, Currie has showcased his talents and durability, hinting at a promising future that could see him rise through the divisions and potentially join Derby in the Championship.
Derby has faced challenges in filling the left-back/wing-back role this season, resorting to deploying players like Louie Sibley out of position due to injuries to Craig Forsyth and Callum Elder. Signing Jack Currie would not only provide Paul Warne with the necessary depth in that position but also bring in a player who could have a lengthy and successful career with the club.
Currie’s defensive prowess is evident with 56 tackles won in League Two while playing for Wimbledon this year. Additionally, he adds an attacking dimension from the left-back position, having created 33 chances as per FotMob. This combination of defensive reliability and attacking contribution makes Currie an appealing prospect for Derby as they aim to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
4Malcolm Ebiowei
A name familiar to Rams fans already, Crystal Palace’s Malcolm Ebiowei has struggled to settle in South London since leaving Derby at the end of the 2021/22 season. Ebiowei has been finding his feet in Belgium since February. However, a lack of game time at RWD Molenbeek has seen the winger stagnate in his development.
The 20-year-old played 16 times in the Championship for Derby two seasons ago, and on his day he had the ability to be the best player in the division with his dazzling feet and dangerous crosses. But after a loan to Hull City in 2023 failed to pay off, Ebiowei has been edging towards the exit at Palace.
A loan deal with a view to making it permanent, back to his former club could be the perfect way for the England U20 international to reignite his career, and with the backing of 30,000 in the stands of Pride Park, it could be a relationship that helps both team and player.
Jonson Clarke-Harris
Jonson Clarke-Harris has had an unusual season at Peterborough United, nearly leaving the club at the season’s start. Despite this, he only started 19 league games and scored nine goals.
His contract expires at the end of June, and it appears both Peterborough and Clarke-Harris are looking to part ways, with Derby among the clubs interested in signing him for the 2024/25 season.
If the 29-year-old joins Derby, he would bolster their attacking options and potentially reunite with his former Rotherham United manager in the second division. Given Derby’s shortage of forwards, Clarke-Harris, a proven goal scorer, would be a valuable addition, capable of making an impact from the bench or as a starter.
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