Enjoying loan spells with Derby County during the 2014/15 and 2018/19 seasons respectively, Jesse Lingard and Mason Mount are well poised for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the rearranged Euro 2020 tournament.
Lingard, currently in red hot form for West Ham United, signed on loan for the Rams during the second half of the 14/15 campaign, being described by former coach Steve McClaren as an ‘exciting talent’ at the time.
The 22-year-old Manchester United loanee made 15 appearances for Derby, though any memories of his time at Pride Park are likely tarred due to the catastrophic fashion of which McClaren’s men fell out of the play-off picture that season.
He registered two goals and two assists before returning to his parent club in the summer.
With just one previous United appearance to his name, Lingard has gone on to make well over 200 appearances for the Red Devils after his Rams loan spell came to a close.
Domestic and European success has too followed for the Englishman, having won the EFL Cup, the Europa League, the FA Community Shield and of course the FA Cup; the latter of which he proved to be the match-winner.
Lingard has 33 goals and 20 assists for Man United, though his form in the first half of the current campaign saw Ole Gunnar Soslkjaer render him surplus to requirements, hence the January switch to West Ham.
Since signing on loan for the Hammers, the now 28-year-old has had the most goal contributions in the Premier League, boasting eight goals and four assists in his nine appearances so far.
His impressive form saw him recalled to the England squad for the first time in a while during the last international break, there he impressed with a man of the match performance in a 5-0 victory over San Marino and featured in the following two victories over Albania and Poland, setting himself in good stead for selection in the upcoming tournament.
More recently, Chelsea star boy Mount spent the entirety of the 18/19 season with Derby under the management of Frank Lampard as the Rams reached the play-off final only to fall short against Aston Villa.
No doubt a crucial step towards the regular top flight football he plays now, the Blues academy graduate made 44 appearances in black and white, notching 11 goals and six assists.
Of course helped by the fact that Lampard was his manager, Mount was thrown in at the deep end the following season as he featured regularly for the West London outfit in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel has since took the reigns at Stamford Bridge and the 22-year-old has continued to excel, he currently has eight goals and seven assists to his name this campaign and has become a pivotal part of Chelsea’s push for the top four.
Mount has been an ever-present in the England squad since leaping into the top flight and barring injury there is likely no way he will be excluded from the squad for the Euros.
Since making his national debut against Bulgaria in 2019, the youngster has made 16 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring four and setting up two.
Can Derby be thanked for aiding the development of these two England hopefuls? There is certainly a strong case for it.
Which Ram or ex-Ram may be next in line for a call up? Who knows?