Derby County can be pleased with the progress they’ve made since being promoted from League One last term.
The aim for Derby County in pre-season was to avoid relegation but the Rams find themselves in a healthy 11th position, six points shy of the play-offs and five points above 22nd Hull City.
Paul Warne’s men secured a point against Preston North End last time out, as striker Jerry Yates continued his fine scoring form, netting his third goal in as many matches.
Yates is now unavailable against his parent club Swansea City, with many Derby fans calling for the striker to be signed permanently next summer.
The Rams have previously shown their appetite to plan for the future after handing centre-back Curtis Nelson a new contract at Pride Park till 2026.
Nelson isn’t the only player who deserves renewed terms at Derby, though, with one academy graduate proving his worth in recent weeks.
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Derby County must hand Liam Thompson new contract
Derby have become one of the best clubs in the EFL at handing academy graduates a chance in the first-team, and midfielder Liam Thompson has benefitted from such a stance.
Thompson, alongside teammates Eiran Cashin and Dajaune Brown, are three players who developed through the Rams academy and are now an important part of the furniture.
While Cashin has been ever present in defence and Brown scored his first senior goal against Hull City, Thompson has had to bide his time for chances.
The energetic midfielder missed seven league matches through a groin strain and didn’t make his first start of 2024/25 till a 2-1 win over Coventry City at the start of November.
Now, he’s cemented himself in the starting XI and impressed Warne, who labelled Thompson’s display as ‘very good’ in the draw against Plymouth Argyle.
The 22-year-old has formed a dynamic midfield trio with ball-winning machine Ebou Adams and playmaker Kenzo Goudmijn, with Ben Osborn also preferred over Marcus Harness.
As a result of his recent importance, Derby should be looking at handing Thompson a new contract to avoid losing him for nothing, as his current deal expires in 2025.
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Thompson’s importance to Derby youngsters
Thompson – who has previously been dubbed ‘superb’ – is vitally important to how Warne deploys his style on the pitch, as the Englishman offers incredible energy and ball-winning attributes.
The above abilities come in handy, particularly when Derby are playing away from home as they go long spells without possession.
Aside from setting the tone on the pitch, Thompson is a role model for the players currently coming through the Rams academy, as they’ll see what is achievable when hard work meets talent.
The young midfielder is a reminder that Derby are capable of producing homegrown stars who can excel in the Championship and he must be retained at all costs.