Trio could shape the plans for window shopping
BIELIK, KAZIM-RICHARDS AND IBE MAY ALL BE KEY
THE January transfer window opens in less than four weeks’ time and Derby County fans are waiting to see what business the club will do.
Will the return to fitness of the versatile Krystian Bielik, the emergence of striker Colin Kazim-Richards and the imminent return to action of winger Jordon Ibe sway the Rams’ thoughts about January?
Bielik and Kazim- Richard started in Saturday’s victory at Millwall, the Rams’ first win in two months, and Ibe was in the squad for the first time and an unused substitute.
Bielik provides options in midfield and as a centre-back.
The 22-year-old Polish international was a big money signing from
Arsenal in the summer of 2019 but a serious knee in January sidelined him for 10 months.
He has lined up in the last two games, his first consecutive starts in a year, and he vied with Curtis Davies for Derby’s man-of-thematch award against Millwall. Bielik has displayed composure, strength and a wide passing range in the holding midfield role. Derby are likely to dip into the transfer market to boost options in the striking department but KazimRichards has started the last three games, against Wycombe Wanderers, Coventry City and Millwall, after a number of appearances as a substitute.
The 34-year-old signed as a free agent in October and has provided a much-needed focal point to the attack that the team had been missing this season, although Martyn Waghorn has worked tirelessly when asked to fill the role. KazimRichards’ strength of character has also been a plus.
Ibe, the 24-year-old former Liverpool and Bournemouth player, has yet to make a first-team appearance since joining the Rams as a free agent in September.
He has had to play catch up with his fitness, having not played a senior game in more than a year.
He played 45 minutes, and scored, for the under-23s in their victory over Southampton on October 23 but suffered a setback due to a couple of bouts of illness.
ROONEY ON BIELIK
“He has showed some really good signs with his passing and his calmness.
“What I loved is two or three times he got the ball and drove at the opposition midfield and for someone of his size to do that it is very difficult to defend.
“He has very good game management. He needs more games to get his full match fitness but you could
see the belief the more the game went on.”
ROONEY ON IBE
“You can see that sharpness coming back to him.
“He is progressing really well, he is getting up to speed, which is great for him but also great for us, having him knocking on the door and being ready to play.”
ROONEY ON KAZIM-RICHARDS
“He was left out of the squad for the Bristol City game (last month) and his reaction was fantastic.
“He has trained really well and deservedly started (against Wycombe). I thought he was fantastic for us, he was a presence up there, he held the ball up well, linked play well.
“He ran out of steam a bit at the end, which is understandable, he hadn’t played for a long time. He has shown a great attitude, great hunger and desire.”