Derby County’s star centre-back Eiran Cashin looks likely to leave in January or in the summer, however, Paul Warne could replace him with academy ace Jake Rooney.
Eiran Cashin has been a standout player in League One for quite some time and after Derby failed to clinch promotion at the first time of asking last term, interest in his services has only become amplified.
Brighton & Hove Albion had several bids turned down in the summer after failing to meet the Rams’ valuation while Carlton Palmer has claimed he will ‘almost certainly’ be on his way out.
With his contract expiring in the summer, Paul Warne will be keen to avoid losing him on a free and will likely cash in.
Whilst the scouting team will have a replacement lined up, the club can save millions by unearthing 20-year-old centre-back Jake Rooney, cousin of former Rams boss Wayne, once he returns from injury.
Who is Jake Rooney?
Captured on a free transfer from Burnley in the summer of 2022, the centre-back instantly endeared himself to the Derby faithful.
Despite initially joining as part of the Under-21s, Rooney impressed greatly from the off and was quickly fast-tracked into the first-team.
On his debut for the club in August 2022, a 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town in the Papa John’s Trophy, supporters instantly fell in love with Rooney and were left awestruck by his performance.
He was magnificent in the heart of their defence as journalist Leigh Curtis awarded him a 9/10 match rating and lauded him as a “class act”, while one fan even labelled him as the “English Beckenbauer”.
Whilst that was a glowing indication of his talent, the 20-year-old went on to make a further 18 senior appearances in that season.
After impressing Warne, he was awarded a new three-year contract, however, that good news was soon complemented by a stroke of bad luck.
In the victory over Bolton Wanderers in September, he was stretchered off within 14 minutes after tearing his cruciate ligament.
This was a bitter pill to swallow for the youngster, who had forced himself into Warne’s plans and made an ever-lasting impression.
Dubbed by Curtis as an “exciting prospect” following his exceptional display in the win over Fleetwood in August, it is clear that – once he makes a return – Derby have an incredible talent on their hands.
A ball-playing centre-back, who displayed composure and defensive nous beyond his years when given the chance, the youngster could be the perfect replacement for Cashin, should he depart in January or next summer.
And he would also save the club millions on a replacement.