When Derby County captured midfielder Ebou Adams from Cardiff City in the summer, it felt like a huge signing for Paul Warne.
Adams enjoyed a five-month loan spell at Pride Park from January onwards where he became a revelation in Derby’s midfield.
The 28-year-old provided defensive stability and tough tackling displays that were previously missing from Paul Warne’s engine room.
As a result, the Rams only conceded nine goals in the 17 matches that he played, with the Gambian international helping them win promotion back to the Championship.
Derby then made it their mission to make Adams their priority signing in the summer and it’s a decision that is paying off emphatically.
Ebou Adams’ impressive Championship statistic
Cardiff City were happy to let him depart for the right price, with the Rams paying around £500,000 to seal a move for Adams.
Whilst Cardiff rarely used him in the second tier, with the midfielder making just 11 appearances for the Welsh outfit, they’re perhaps regretting the decision to let him go.
Adams has been immense for Derby so far, starting in all but two of their Championship matches, and solidifying his place in the middle of the park.
With his relentless, high-octane displays and ability to recover possession, he’s established himself as one of the EFL’s finest defensive midfielders.
As pointed out by Derby’s official page on X, Adams is one of three players in the second tier to win 40+ tackles so far this season.
| Championship most tackles per game |
| Vinicius Souza (4.1) |
| Dennis Cirkin (3.8) |
| David Ozoh (3.8) |
| Alistair McCann (3.8) |
| Ebou Adams (3.6) |
Remarkably, Adams isn’t the only Derby player to feature in the top five for tackles per game, with Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh marginally outperforming his teammate.
- READ MORE: Paul Warne’s best Derby County XI once David Ozoh returns from injury as summer signing axed
Derby County’s best midfield
Derby overhauled their midfield during the summer, as Ben Osborn, Adams, Ozoh, Kenzo Goudmijn and Marcus Harness were all signed.
Currently, Ozoh is sidelined with an injury to his quad but should return after the next international break, leaving the four others as options.
Warne started with a midfield trio of Osborn, Adams and Goudmijn against Oxford but he should bring Marcus Harness into the side against Hull City.
On paper, when every player is fit and available, Derby’s most solid midfield is arguably Adams, Ozoh and Goudmijn, who offer a blend of physicality, tenacity and creativity.