Derby County were rightfully praised following their 3-0 thrashing of Bristol City at the weekend.
The Rams are now unbeaten at Pride Park in the Championship since February, while they have only lost four league games on home soil in the last 13 months.
Derby put on a stellar performance as they hosted the Robins, with David Ozoh and Kenzo Goumijn scoring their first goals, while Kayden Jackson took his tally to three.
Ozoh has been heavily praised for his ‘unreal’ performance and it is certainly well deserved following his loan move from Crystal Palace.
However, there is one player who is gone under the radar for some time now and his display against Bristol City proved that.
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Ryan Nyambe makes his mark on the Championship
Ryan Nyambe has returned to the starting line-up this season after an injury-ridden 2023/24 campaign.
Paul Warne’s faith in the defender became very clear when he offered him a new three-year contract in the summer, despite his absence last term.
Nyambe has very quickly repaid his faith and is proving himself as a very capable Championship defender.
The right-back made 48 touches and had 86% pass accuracy as he helped Derby pick up a clean sheet at the weekend.
Nyambe was hailed by Derbyshire Live, who gifted him an eight rating and wrote: “Has been an incredible bit of business on a free transfer when you consider his quality. Championship defender every day of the week. Never appears rattled.”
The defender can become a regular for Derby County
The Namibia international looks to be back fit and ready and is very quickly showing why he should be one of the first names on the team-sheet.
The Rams have brought in a lot of players this summer, but Nyambe has earned his place in the squad and has shown his ability in the second division – a year after moving to Pride Park on a free transfer.
It would have been no surprise if he had fallen down the pecking order after a difficult debut campaign, but he has made a real impact in his two starts in the Championship.
He has looked like an absolute bargain in recent weeks and there is no doubt he can remain a regular under Warne if he can keep up this form.
Warne needs these experienced players to take it up a notch and help guide the team, and that is what he is doing.