Derby County still have plenty of work to do before the summer transfer window comes to a close.
As transfer Deadline Day looms for Derby County, there can be plenty of optimism that the Rams have prepared fairly well this summer as they weren’t too affected by the lengthy list of players released this summer.
There are still some added tweaks that must be made over the next few days before the window shuts, however the window has gone successfully for Paul Warne’s side.
They have managed to bring in an exciting new goalkeeper in Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, as well as having successfully bolstered the front line with the likes of Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, and most recently the loan signing of Tawanda Chirewa from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There are a few positions that still need to be strengthened, from the lack of quality, to the insufficient amount of depth, but if all problems are solved before August 30th then it can be considered a successful window for the Rams.
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Sign a centre-back
Derby County’s depth at centre-back is simply insufficient for a Championship season, and has been made even more of a glaring issue following the injury sustained by young defender Jake Rooney.
The Rams must prioritise signings in this area, otherwise issues could spring up if Warne’s side is further hit by injuries throughout the course of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Move on Conor Washington
The Derby County striker is unlikely to be given any game time in the 2024/25 Championship season.
Jackson, Yates, James Collins and Chirewa are all safely ahead of the Northern Irish international and it would be expected that Conor Washington will be keen to move on in order to get his career back on track at a slightly lower level.
A move for Washington could be highly beneficial for the Rams as it would free up more space and wages to potentially bring in extra recruits before the window closes.
Utilise more Premier League loans
Derby County have done incredibly well with their ability to clinch Premier League loans so far this season, most notably the arrival of David Ozoh from Crystal Palace, who already looks like a brilliant addition to the midfield options for Warne’s side.
The Rams could easily plug the hole of the lack of options at centre-back with loans from the Premier League, and it would be a cost-efficient way in doing so, leaving extra funds to improve attacking areas.
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Bring in a new left-back
Whilst Callum Elder is far from being a liability in the side, the performance against Blackburn Rovers suggested that he at least needs sufficient competition to start in order to reach the higher echelons of his ability.
The Australian international is joined by 35-year-old Craig Forsyth as the only left-back options in the senior side, and a new arrival in this area would be greatly beneficial, both in terms of adding quality and assuring that depth in the position is sufficient.
Dajaune Brown loan vs not loan out
Young attacker Dajaune Brown started Derby County’s EFL Cup fixture against Chesterfield, contributing an assist, however he is yet to be handed a single minute of league action.
For his development, it would be highly beneficial for the centre-forward to be given a loan spell in League One or Two in order to get the game time that he needs, something that he will be unlikely to get this season if he stays at Derby County.