Derby County are not exactly flush for cash at the moment, so getting their best players to commit to new contracts can be just as important as signing new players for the Rams.
Rather surprisingly, Derby County have made a great start to the season, and sit in 12th place after 15 games in their first year back in the Championship.
Rams boss Paul Warne has got plenty of things right this season already, but there is, of course, room for improvement, too.
With the January transfer window coming up, some would suggest Warne should look to bring in more fresh faces to help maintain their league position, but Derby’s owners have been urged to operate differently in the market to avoid another financial collapse.
So, it figures then, that the club would look to secure the players they already have and ensure there is a solid foundation moving forward.
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Kane Wilson deserves a new deal at Derby County
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Curtis Nelson was handed a new contract just last week. The defender has been ever-present for the Rams over the last two seasons, and is fully deserving of his extension.
Now, Paul Warne should turn his attention to rewarding Kane Wilson for his performances this season, by pushing the board to agree a new deal with the full-back.
| Statistic | Kane Wilson in 2024/25 (all competitions) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 11 |
| Minutes played | 624 |
| Tackles won per 90 | 1.3 |
| Pass completion % | 67.6 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 3.97 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 0.72 |
Wilson’s current contract expires at the end of the season, and while Ryan Nyambe is normally the first-choice at right-back, Wilson has covered the position admirably in his colleague’s absence.
Nyambe picked up an injury in the draw against Millwall back in October, and the ‘brilliant’ Wilson has deputised ever since, proving his value to the squad, and then some.
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Two more Derby County players need new contracts
Derby can ill-afford to let important players leave for nothing, and Wilson should expect to sit down for negotiations on a renewal in the near future.
However, he’s not the only player who could and should see their terms extended at some point this season. Derby County have another seven squad players whose contracts expire in 2025.
While veterans like Conor Washington, James Collins, Craig Forsyth, and Sonny Bradley are almost certain to depart when their deals come to an end, Warne should be looking to tie down academy graduate Liam Thompson, and the versatile Tom Barkhuizen, to new contracts.
Barkhuizen hasn’t featured all that much this season, but still has a lot to offer and is a great squad player to keep around, while Thompson has a bright future ahead of him and is highly thought of at Pride Park.