According to statistical website Whoscored, Birmingham City left-back Kristian Pedersen currently ranks as one of the best players in the Championship.
The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for the Blues this season. But, according to the player, he could well have been featuring in a Derby County shirt right now.
In a recent interview with Blues Talk podcast, Pedersen claimed Derby and Leeds United wanted to sign him in the summer of 2018.
The Dane was at Union Berlin at the time, and he ended up signing for Birmingham.
Me and my agent were having a meeting together and there were some clubs interested in me. When he said Birmingham, I was pretty sure it was going to be them. There were a few other clubs [interested in signing me]. Freiburg and Mainz, Bundesliga clubs, and then you’ve got Leeds and Derby.
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Derby were in the market for a left-back that summer. Marcus Olsson’s long-term injury left the Rams short as Craig Forsyth also had a history of picking up injuries.
The Rams ultimately brought in Scott Malone from Huddersfield Town. However, Malone has been in and out of the team since arriving at Pride Park.
Do Derby have any potential regrets missing out on Pedersen? His performances at Birmingham suggest the 6ft 2inch fullback could have been a decent addition for the Rams.
In eight Championship games this term, Pedersen has shown strength and versatility. He is excellent in the air, winning 3.9 aerial duels per game, while he also averages 1.8 interceptions, 3.3 tackles and four clearances per Championship outing. His current Whoscored rating is 7.31 – more than any Derby player.
Moreover, of all Championship left-backs so far this campaign, only Fulham’s Joe Bryan currently rates higher (7.40) Pedersen is certainly doing something right.
At 25, the Dane will only get better. Derby, meanwhile, will pin their hopes on Max Lowe breaking through and establishing himself as a top left-back prospect for the coming years.