Paul Warne has highlighted positions that Derby County still need to strengthen ahead of the season.
Paul Warne’s side have been incredibly active in recent times in the transfer window, strengthening both up front and in midfield.
The shrewd signing of Ben Osborn following his release from Sheffield United has been followed up with a deal to bring Dutch midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn to Pride Park ahead of Derby County’s 2024/25 Championship campaign, where they will hope to build on their promotion from League One in the last season.
Ebou Adams is also close to returning to Derby County, after a reported fee of £900,000 was agreed between the Rams and Cardiff City for the Gambian international.
In attack, the loan signing of Jerry Yates was accompanied by the addition of Kayden Jackson after he was released from Ipswich Town, which has provided Warne with more consistent goal scoring threat at this level.
However, Warne has hinted at certain positions ahead of the new season that still ‘need strengthening’.
Derby County have ‘a long way to go’ in the summer transfer window
Paul Warne has suggested that several more signings will still be needed at Pride Park ahead of the new Championship season.
Dominic Dietrich wrote on X: “Paul Warne says they’ve still got a long way to go in the window.
“He outlined defensively they need strengthening, a goalkeeper or two and three or four midfielders.
“Also mentioned the front line could be strengthened again.”
Derby County have already made five additions to their squad this summer, including the addition of Corey Blackett-Taylor following his 2023/24 loan move at Derby County.
Warne has the task of bolstering his midfield options after losing Louie Sibley, Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, all of which played a pivotal role in the Rams’ promotion back to the Championship in the 2023/24 season.
- READ MORE: Derby County now need to sign Ebou Adams to unlock Paul Warne’s ‘excellent’ secret weapon
Are Derby County in need of widespread changes
Warne has made it clear that many more signings will be needed to ensure that his side are ready for the Championship.
Goalkeepers will be a necessity before the window shuts, with Josh Vickers being the only current option at Warne’s disposal.
Defensively, cover is fairly light as well, with limited Championship experience, something that Warne is correctly looking to bolster.
However, there is not much necessity for Warne to have a further ‘three or four more additions’ across the midfield.
Adams is reportedly close to a deal to return to the club, leaving several options at their disposal.
Derby County should easily be compromising with getting just one or two further additions in midfield, if it meant that they will get at least two further attacking additions, something that Warne has suggested it ‘could be strengthened’.
The Rams have made shrewd additions with Jackson and Yates, however at least one further striker of this similar Championship quality must be brought in as a priority, as opposed to over-populating the centre of the park.