Derby County got off to a losing start in the Championship on Friday night.
Derby County’s 2024/25 season got off to a poor start, with Paul Warne overseeing a 4-2 defeat away at Blackburn Rovers.
Rovers scored three goals in the second half after the Rams got back on level terms through Curtis Nelson, with former Derby striker Andi Weimann among the scores.
Kane Wilson scored a late consolation for Derby County. But it capped what was an overall poor night for the Rams.
It was a first chance for Derby’s new signings to impress, though, of which there were four in the starting XI.
Derby County fans were impressed by Kenzo Goudmijn who started in midfield alongside fellow newcomers Ben Osborn and David Ozoh, with Kayden Jackson leading the line.
Former Derby favourite Curtis Davies recently retired but was on Sky Sports for the game between Blackburn Rovers and Derby.
And the 39-year-old expressed his hope for this one Derby County signing to impress in 2024/25.
Curtis Davies gives verdict on Derby County loan man David Ozoh
Derby County signed Ozoh on loan from Crystal Palace earlier this summer.
The Spanish-born England youth international made nine Premier League appearances for the Eagles last season, but leaves Selhurst Park for his first loan spell.
He started in midfield alongside Goudmijn and Osborn and completed 24/26 passes, boasting the high pass-completion rate of any Derby County player who started the game (92%).
Ozoh also completed the third-most duels of any Rams man (five out of 10), whilst also recording more tackles than any Derby player (three).
Speaking on Sky Sports before the game, Davies gave his verdict on Ozoh’s move to Pride Park, saying: “It’s massive for him and it’s massive for the club because I think he is a different type of midfielder to what they had last year.
“Listen, he is a very good footballer, he can play with the ball, he uses the ball well, he has got good awareness. He is only 19, but look at the size of him.
“I wouldn’t want to go into a big tackle with him, so he has got that strength where he can drive through the lines and he can also be that dominating force that intimidates players.”
Can David Ozoh give Derby County an edge in difficult Championship campaign
If there’s one assumption to take from Derby’s defeat vs Blackburn, it’s that the Rams are in for a tough 2024/25 season.
Blackburn showcased the lack of Championship quality within the Derby ranks, and now Warne may be desperate for a few more additions in whats left of the summer transfer window.
But Warne can also expect the likes of Ozoh, and Goudmijn as well, to get better and better as the season goes on.
Goudmijn impressed whereas Ozoh looked a bit lost in spells, though it was a solid enough debut for the towering midfielder.
He’s got all the traits of a player who can prevail in the Championship; good on the ball and good at driving forward, not to mention the power he possesses.
If Warne can get a tune out of Ozoh then it would be a huge help in getting Derby County firing in the Championship.