Cocu: My contacts can bring in stars

PHILLIP CoCU is ready to tap into his contacts book to ensure Derby get the best loan players available. Derby have good relationships with a number of Premier League clubs after the success of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson at Pride Park. But Cocu feels he can add to that network, with Pep Guardiola a friend from their days playing together with Barcelona. Cocu was also involved in luring Kieran Dowell from Everton, due to his rapport with director of football Marcel Brands. ‘You always use your contacts in the world of football,’ said Cocu. ‘of course there are lots of agents and technical directors who I have worked with as a player. ‘or even when I was at PSV, then at Fenerbahce, you have contact with coaches. ‘Also Derby has really good relationships with a lot of good teams.’ Derby are trying to get Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea after Frank Lampard said the talented 18-year-old would be allowed out and Cocu is determined to get the best players possible. ‘We must try to get the balance right in the team,’ he said. ‘The market isn’t really so simple at this moment.’