Derby County’s imminent new signing has been praised by footballing-royalty.
The Rams are making steady progress in the summer transfer window, with them closing in on key targets.
Defenders look to be the priority for Paul Warne’s side before the transfer window comes to a close, with former Leeds United centre-back Liam Cooper reportedly linked with a move to Pride Park after the Championship-experienced free-agent’s move to Hull City fell through.
The Rams are also closing in on signing Liverpool defender Nat Phillips on loan, with the defender having a medical, and the former Preston North End centre-back is arriving at Derby County with a brilliant reputation courtesy of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
- READ MORE: Derby County ‘exploring’ loan deal for Premier League defender, Championship rivals also keen
Jurgen Klopp praises ‘brilliant’ Nat Phillips ahead of Derby County switch
27-year-old Phillips looks set to bolster a fairly depleted Derby County defence, especially with the injury sustained by youngster Jake Rooney.
It is certainly a signing to get Rams fans off their seat, especially after how he has been described by Klopp previously.
Per Leeds Live, Klopp said to Match of The Day: “He’s a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything. He’s not easy on the eye, he’s not Messi but who cares?
“In the air, he’s a monster! He was incredible.”
Phillips has recently applied his trade in the Championship in a half-a-season spell at Cardiff City, which followed up a short spell at Celtic.
- READ MORE: League Two club have ‘rejected’ two six-figure bids for midfielder linked with Derby County
Nat Phillips’ experience could be massive for Derby County this season
For this level, Nat Phillips has buckets of experience that will certainly prove to be massively beneficial for the Rams this season, which spans as far as 17 appearances in the Premier League with Liverpool, alongside five appearances in the Champions League.
Incredibly, Phillips started two Champions League quarter-finals with Liverpool in the 2020/21 season against Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he managed a clean sheet in the reverse fixture, which saw him play the full 90 minutes.
Add on two half-seasons of Championship football with both Bournemouth and Cardiff City, it is clear that Phillips will certainly bring a lot to this Derby County side.