One Derby County youngster has spoken about his lack of opportunities at the club prior to his temporary exit.
Derby County’s summer window was a brilliant case of Paul Warne’s side preparing for the lofty task of the 2024/25 Championship season.
The Rams managed to bring in several players to bolster their options, with Kenzo Goudmijn and David Ozoh notably joining and making a significant and instant impact in the centre-of–the-park.
Derby County also let players depart this summer, with many leaving following the end of their contracts following the promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season.
Whilst the large majority of departures were permanent, one Derby County youngster was sent out on loan, where he has been handed necessary game time and has even spoken about his lack of opportunities with the Rams.
Derby County youngster Ben Radcliffe opens up on opportunities at the club
Derby County youth star Ben Radcliffe was sanctioned a loan move to National League side Gateshead this summer, where he has been handed three appearances so far.
He has followed in the footsteps of fellow Rams teammate, Dajaune Brown, who thrived with the North-East based side last season.
Radcliffe has noticed the impact of this game time at professional level, but has also highlighted the lack of opportunities he was handed at Derby County.
Per Sunderland Echo, Radcliffe said: “I am here for me as much as anything. I need the exposure and opportunity to impress.
“Maybe playing academy football at Derby wasn’t giving me that opportunity. I’ve had experience with men’s football before and I’ll be honest I was really missing that.
“This [gateshead] is the perfect place for me to come. Rob [Elliot] is great as a person and as a manager he has really welcomed me.
“I’ve got that enjoyment and buzz back about my football. I am loving every minute here.”
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Paul Warne fall short in terms of handing game time to academy products
There is no doubt that Derby County have one of the younger sides in the Championship, and have most certainly handed game time to youngsters within the academy set-up in recent years.
However, there has certainly been much less of an emphasis on this since Warne arrived in the hot seat, and it must be noted that whilst the Derby County manager is doing a brilliant job at this present time, he most certainly shouldn’t disregard the academy products who should most certainly be getting opportunities in the side.
The Rams have several bright players in their squad, including Brown, who has only been handed game time in the EFL Cup up until this point, and it should be a case at this point that he is prioritised, rather than Warne looking to bring in other loanee attackers in his position, like Tawanda Chirewa.
Derby County’s academy has been brilliant at developing youth talent over the years, and the current form and options at the club shouldn’t disregard the necessity of this.