Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has offered his Derby County prediction for the upcoming season.
Derby County earned promotion from League One last time round, finishing in 2nd place after what was a two-year hiatus in the third tier.
Ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season, Derby County have bolstered well in the summer transfer market.
The Rams under Paul Warne have made seven signings, including the permanent swoop for Corey Blackett-Taylor, as well as the return of Ebou Adams following his impressive loan spell last season.
Rams fans are reserving expectations for next season in what promises to be a very challenging campaign for Derby County.
There’s some big-hitters returning to the second tier in Burnley, Luton Town, and Sheffield United, and some dark horses starting to emerge too.
Many will tips the Ram to struggle near the foot of the table having just come up from League One, and many might even back the Rams to make an immediate return to the third tier.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing makes ‘comfortable’ Derby County prediction
Derby County favourite Nathaniel Mendez-Laing believes that his side can be comfortable’ in the Championship next time round.
Speaking on the Rams Daily podcast, the winger said of the upcoming season: “We’ve had some good additions to the squad and we’re starting to gel.
“The plan was to get Derby back to the Championship. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to be [playing there] with this club and group of players.
“There are some quality players at the big clubs [in the Championship].
“If you turn the ball over, you might get punished a lot more. But we’ve got more than enough to be comfortable in the league.”
- READ MORE: Paul Warne thinks two players just had their ‘best’ performance yet in a Derby County shirt
The aim for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing at Derby County next season
For Mendez-Laing in particular, next season may hold a lot of hope and expectation, with the 32-year-old having been in and out of the second tier for the last few seasons.
But he’s more than found his footing in the last couple of seasons at Pride Park, scoring nine and assisting 15 last season, as well as featuring in all 46 League One games.
Given his prior Championship experience with the likes of Cardiff City and Middlesbrough, Warne will be looking to players like Mendez-Laing to help the newer and more inexperienced player settle in, as well as provide that added bit of quality.
Like Mendez-Laing says, with the new arrivals already looking good, Derby County could well surprise a few people next season.