No wonder other clubs are linked with Rams’ star Curtis
DEFENDER’S KNOW-HOW AND LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN TOUGH SEASON AT PRIDE PARK
SEEING reports of interest in Derby County’s Curtis Davies from other clubs is no surprise after the 37-yearold’s remarkable achievement this season.
He played every minute of the 46 Championship matches and Rams supporteres voted him their player of the year.
Bristol City and his former club Hull City have been linked with Davies, who is out of contract this summer.
Derby boss Wayne Rooney is planning for life in League One next season following relegation and he is keen to keep the player. Davies wants to stay, as he made clear at the club’s awards night.
“I want to be here, I want to stay here,” said Davies.
“As the manager said, there are some things with the players that need to be sorted out, of course, but it is poetic that my first season as a pro was winning League One with Luton Town.
“If it is going to be my last season as a pro, why not win the League?”
The experienced defender is one of a number of first-team players whose contracts are due to expire and new deals can only be offered when a takeover of the club is given the green light.
Davies’ know-how and leadership has been invaluable to Derby this season and would be again next season in League One.
Rooney has outlined his thinking behind his plans to reshape and rebuild his squad.
He said: “We need some experience.
“You have to try and identify the best players for your style of play as well, players who can cope with League One.
“We need to make sure we get the right balance and blend of players who fit into the way I want to play but who are also experienced.”
It is interesting to see the situation with former Rams defender Phil Jagielka at Stoke City, who has secured a new deal that will see him play into his 40s.
Jagielka played a key role for Derby in the first half of this season and formed an impressive centreback partnership with Davies. Rooney wanted to extend Jagielka’s stay but the club’s transfer embargo ruled this out and he joined Stoke.
Such top professionals as Davies and Jagielka can be crucial in balancing teams and helping with the development of young players.
It is no surprise to see them in demand.
DERBY County will eye the free agents market this summer as they look to rebuild for League One next season following relegation.
Championship clubs Coventry City, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Peterborough United and Preston North End have announced their retained lists to open the floodgates on a sea of free agents.
Coventry are the latest to publish their summer exits and fans’ favourite Jodi Jones is leaving the Sky Blues after six years.
There are 13 players being let go at Preston, including Tom Barkhuizen, Paul Huntington, Scott Sinclair, Connor Ripley and Joe Rafferty.
Three are being released by Middlesbrough – Sol Bamba, Lee Peltier and Neil Taylor.
Jonny Howson has been offered a new contract.
Peterborough have also released three players: Dai Cornell, Serhat Tasdemir and Kyle Barker. Christy Pym, Mark Beevers, Idris Kanu, Jorge Grant and Ryan Broom have been made available for transfer.
Blackpool have released eight players and extended the contracts for players including Josh Bowler and former Rams defender Richard Keogh.
Four senior players are definitely leaving Stoke City this summer, with Steven Fletcher, Tommy Smith, James Chester and Tom Ince not being offered new deals. Phil Jagielka, Jacob Brown and Jordan Thompson have signed new deals in the last few days, while Michael O’neill has also been weighing up decisions about players in or on the fringes of the under-23s team.
Blackpool released: Cameron
Antwi, Ryan Grant, Johnny Johnston, Matthew Liptrott, Charlie Monks, Ethan Robson, Sky Sinclair, Grant Ward. Contract options exercised: Keshi Anderson, Ewan Bange, Josh Bowler, Brad Holmes, Richard Keogh, Stuart Moore, Jordan Thorniley.
Coventry City released: Jodi Jones, Josh Pask. Contract options exercised: Jordan Shipley (bid accepted from Shrewsbury Town). Under-23s released: Jonny Ngandu, Aaron Evans-harriott.
Middlesbrough released: Sol Bamba, Lee Peltier, Neil Taylor.
Offered new contract: Jonny Howson.
Peterborough United released: Dai Cornell, Serhat Tasdemir, Kyle Barker. Available for transfer: Christy Pym, Mark Beevers, Idris Kanu, Jorge Grant and Ryan Broom.
Preston North End released : Connor Ripley, Oliver Lombard, Mathew Hudson, Paul Huntington, Joe Rafferty, Jack Baxter, Jamie Thomas, Tom Barkhuizen, Scott Sinclair, Izzy Brown, Ethan Walker, Joe Rodwell-grant, Jacob Holland wilkinson. Offered new contract: Bambo Diaby.