For Derby County, 2024 promises to be another huge year as the Rams vie to get out of League One.
Derby County are now in their second season in League One following their Championship relegation in 2022.
Only a year has passed since the Rams were relegated to the third tier for the first time in 30 years, but a lot has changed in that time.
The club has a new manager in Paul Warne and a new-look squad too. But the aim remains the same and that, right now, is to get out of League One.
Here are three top targets for Derby County in 2024…
Get out of League One
Obviously, earning promotion is the main aim here.
And after a shaky start to the season which saw Derby County lingering outside the play-off places, the Rams are right back on track.
A positive 3-1 win over Lincoln City in midweek initially moved Derby up into 3rd place of the table, but Bolton Wanderers’ win over Leyton Orient yesterday leaves the Rams in 4th.
Still, Warne now finds his side just two points behind Bolton and four behind Peterborough United in 2nd, and with Derby in strong form, that gap could quickly be closed after the New Year.
New deal for Eiran Cashin
Eiran Cashin is once again enjoying a standout season with Derby County.
Brighton tried and failed to sign him in the summer and ahead of January, reports linking the 22-year-old with a move away from Pride Park have been reignited.
Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City are one team said to be keen, whilst Brighton have also been tipped to revisit their interest.
Cashin is currently out of deal next summer but it’s been reported that the Rams have an option to extend his deal by a further year.
But Warne will no doubt want to see Cashin commit his long-term future to the club.
Rooney previously described Cashin as ‘perfect’ following his full first-team debut in 2022.
Promote the next young Derby County stars
Another key part of the Derby County rebuild should be promoting the next set of Derby County youngsters.
Cashin is the prime example of why the Rams should have faith in their youth academy; Derby have produced some top talents over the last few years, with some like Kaide Gordon going on to play for Liverpool.
With the likes of Cashin and Max Bird looking like they could be moved on next year, and with Derby having a relatively ageing squad (27.8 average age, per Transfermarkt), Warne should look to introduce the best academy players in 2024.
Some names to keep an eye on are Daniel Cox, Cruz Allen, Harry Hawkins, Ben Radcliffe, and Darren Robinson.