Derby County midfielder Duane Holmes is enjoying the best spell of his career and former club Huddersfield Town must now regret letting him go.
Holmes came through Huddersfield’s academy but struggled to make strides.
The US international made just 22 appearances for the first-team in three years. In 2016, he was released, later joining Scunthorpe United in League One.
(Photo by Jon Hobley/ MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images).
Derby subsequently signed Holmes for a bargain £700,000 fee in 2018.
Few supporters at Pride Park knew much about the midfielder. But, it didn’t take long before Holmes started the show his potential with some energetic displays.
Now, after recovering from early season injuries, Holmes is really starting to dazzle.
The 25-year-old has posted two goals and two assists in his last five games. He has been a key component behind Derby’s run of just one defeat in nine in all competitions.
Holmes is quick, direct and brave on the ball. In the recent 4-0 thrashing over Stoke City, he posted a whopping five successful take-ons in a superb display.
With Wayne Rooney and Max Bird playing slightly deeper, Holmes is thriving in a more attacking role and his end product is improving with each passing week.
Considering his age, qualities on the ball and determination to improve, Derby have a real asset on their hands and a player who could now command a much larger fee.
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images).
Huddersfield will no doubt regret casting him off. The Terriers lack pace and direction in their team as they sit just three points above the Championship relegation zone.
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