Derby County manager Paul Warne has spoken on whether he will need to sanction departures this summer.
Paul Warne has worked relentlessly in getting his squad ready for the 2024/25 Championship season, having made five signings so far this summer.
Midfielders made up a large number of the players released from Pride Park at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, in which Warne got the Rams promoted back to the Championship.
Conor Hourihane, Corey Smith and Louie Sibley were amongst the names of departures, which gave Warne the task of replacing his midfielders.
Ever since, Derby County have populated the centre of the park with the likes of Ben Osborn and Kenzo Goudmijn joining the club, as well as former loanee Ebou Adams set to join from Cardiff City.
Attacking options have also been bolstered with the additions of Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates to Derby County this summer.
Following what has been a non-stop summer for Warne, he has his next move mapped out in the transfer window.
Paul Warne ‘hints at departures’ for Derby County this summer
After Derby County’s five additions so far this summer, Warne is reportedly looking to offload players ahead of the new season.
Dominic Dietrich wrote on X: “No offers in yet according to Paul Warne but he hints at departures in this window.”
Previously, Warne had spoken about his desire to bring in extra players ahead of the new season, however Derby County must make decisions on their current crop of players and who they should let go of.
Warne currently has 22 players as part of his first team squad, some of which have limited Championship experience and are unlikely to be utilised this season.
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Paul Warne will have difficult decisions to make on two strikers
Warne has already strengthened his options up top, however he will have to make a decision on both James Collins and Conor Washington, who may not be able to make a significant impact in the Championship.
Both strikers have got past goalscoring pedigree, but Championship football might be a step too far for the likes of Collins, who managed just three goals in 26 matches for Cardiff City in the 2021/22 Championship season.
Washington was also unable to make a significant impact in his last spell in the Championship, after bagging just five goals in the 2021/22 season with Rotherham United under Warne.
Both players are now past their prime and usually thrive in the lower EFL leagues, therefore Warne may have to make a decision on looking to offload the pair, especially considering the Rams boss has already suggested that ‘the front line could be strengthened again’.