According to The Mirror, Aston Villa number two John Terry is the front-runner for the vacant Derby County job with Ashley Cole is a potential option to join his managerial team.
Derby are manager-less after dismissing Phillip Cocu last month.
Wayne Rooney is currently solely in interim charge. But Derby’s prospective new owners may have other ideas and Terry is reportedly in the running for the job.
The Villa number two has impressed alongside Dean Smith at Villa Park.
But Terry has made no secret of his desire to go into management and be number one. Here, we look at three players he could look to sign should he get the Derby role.
Keinan Davis:
Derby reportedly wanted to sign Davis on loan in the summer window (Football Insider).
Chris Martin’s exit has left a huge void upfront for the Rams. Currently, 34-year-old journeyman Colin Kazim-Richards is filling the role and is somewhat exceeding expectations.
But a new striker must be a top priority for Derby in the January transfer window.
Aside from Davis’s goal threat, he is big, strong and links the play well.
With Wesley returning from injury, Villa may decide to let the youngster out on loan for much-needed experience and game-time. Pride Park could be an obvious destination.
Fikayo Tomori:
Fikayo Tomori spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Derby from Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has no doubt outgrown the Championship. He is better than that. But, manager Frank Lampard may overlook that should former teammate Terry land the Derby role.
Tomori needs game-time. He has featured for just 45 minutes in the Premier League this term.
Chelsea have Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen ahead of Tomori in the pecking order. A loan move in January makes sense.
But with clubs like Everton and West Ham United linked, the Blues may not be so keen to help a potential top four rival considering the way this unique season is going.
Derby, meanwhile, must look at bolstering their central defensive options.
Charly Musonda:
Charly Musonda was expectedly left out of Chelsea’s 25-man squad for the campaign after missing out on a loan move way from the club during the summer window.
The 24-year-old joined the Blues in 2012 as a youngster.
Musonda has spent most of his time out on loan, including the past two seasons with Vitesse.
But his failure to move out on loan during the summer has stumped his progress. The Belgium U21 international will surely look to leave in January for regular playing time.
Derby have struggled for creativity all season, scoring just eight goals so far. Musonda could be a sound option who can play through the middle as a number 10 or out wide.
Also see: ‘As big as Man City’: Two-time title winner with Derby shares his thoughts on takeover
Also see: Report: Derby consider approach for foreign manager who they also wanted in 2016