Freddie Ladapo’s potential signing could significantly strengthen Derby County’s attacking force as they prepare for their return to the Championship after a two-year absence. Ladapo’s experience, goal-scoring prowess, and physicality make him an attractive option, especially considering Derby’s injury woes in attack this past season. Manager Paul Warne, familiar with Ladapo from their time together at Rotherham, could leverage this connection to solidify Derby’s frontline for the challenges ahead in the Championship. Ladapo’s potential availability at a reasonable cost further adds to his appeal, suggesting that he could indeed don a Derby shirt for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Freddie Ladapo should be in a Derby shirt in 24/25
The old favourite that Warne should be looking at bringing in is none other than his former first choice striker at Rotherham, Freddie Ladapo.
The Nigerian was reliable for Warne in his three seasons at the New York Stadium, scoring 41 times in 123 appearances, spending one season in the Championship too.
He would offer pace, power and physicality to a frontline that has not had a consistent presence all season. He would also offer plenty of experience too, given his long list of former clubs, to any younger players in the attack that Warne places trust in over this summer, such as Dejaune Brown.
The now 31-year-old is an EFL journeyman, having spent time at Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle, as well as Southend United and Oldham Athletic when they were in the Football League.
| Freddie Ladapo EFL career, according to FotMob | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
| Charlton Athletic | 14 | 1 |
| Ipswich Town | 75 | 25 |
| Rotherham United | 123 | 41 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 49 | 19 |
| Southend United | 10 | 0 |
| Shrewsbury Town | 15 | 4 |
| Oldham Athletic | 22 | 3 |
Derby’s strikers have faced significant time on the sidelines due to injuries this season. James Collins, their primary striker at the start of the season, was initially expected to miss the rest of the campaign after an injury in February but managed to return towards the end.
Backup options like Martyn Waghorn and Dwight Gayle have also struggled with fitness, leading to players like Tom Barkhuizen and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who are more accustomed to wide positions, having to fill in up front.
Fortunately, Mendez-Laing has showcased his quality, emerging as one of Derby’s top performers in attack with nine goals, second only to Collins, and providing 16 assists, highlighting his importance to the team’s offensive efforts.
With the mention of older strikers like Martyn Waghorn and Dwight Gayle, there’s a question about how long they can maintain their productivity. To thrive again in the second tier, Derby might need to explore other options.
Freddie Ladapo could be a great addition for Derby despite not lowering the age of their frontline. He would bring experience and be a smart acquisition, especially considering Ipswich’s likely squad overhaul ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Given Derby’s financial challenges, signing Ladapo, who may come at a reasonable price, makes sense. The release of Waghorn and Gayle frees up wages and underscores the need for more firepower.
Ladapo’s familiarity with manager Paul Warne from their time at Rotherham is a significant advantage. His proven compatibility with Warne’s tactics could be pivotal during Derby’s rebuilding phase in the Championship.
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