Malcolm’s bravery praised as he makes his mark
MALCOLM Ebiowei has caught the eye since breaking into Derby County’s first team.
The 18-year-old wide attacker made 11 consecutive starts before the curtain came down on the Rams’ Championship campaign.
His progress has been noticed by other clubs. Recent reports have said Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Leeds United, newlypromoted Fulham and German club RB Leipzig are showing an interest in the player, who joined the Rams last summer.
Rams manager Wayne Rooney has has been impressed by the way Ebiowei has handled his first taste of senior football.
“Bravery to take the ball and bravery to stay on the ball,” said Rooney, when asked about Ebiowei’s strengths.
“He is good technically, has a great attitude, that is the same with all the young players.
“They have been excellent all season, playing for the club, playing for the shirt, and I can’t fault them, any of them.
“Even players who haven’t got the game time they wanted and I haven’t put them in as much as they would like but what they have done on the training pitch and around the dressing room has been first class.”
Ebiowei is one of the many players whose contracts expire this summer but Chris Kirchner’s proposed takeover needs to be given the green light before new deals can be offered.
Rooney said last week that Ebiowei wants to stay at the club.
“He wants to be here,” said Rooney.
“He knows there has been a lot of trust put into him, a lot of responsibility, and I think it is important, in order for him to develop as a player, that he is in the right hands, getting the right
coaching. He wants to learn and he wants to try and help this club move forward.”
■■Derby County and Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal over the removal of a sell-on clause that was included in Kaide Gordon’s transfer to the Premier League giants.
The 17-year-old completed a move from Pride Park to Anfield last February after an undisclosed compensation package was agreed between the two clubs.
Gordon has made four first-team appearances for Liverpool so far after breaking into the first-team squad.
As part of the deal between Derby and Liverpool, the Rams inserted a 20% sell-on clause, meaning that they would get a part of any transfer fee paid to Liverpool for the player.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a deal has now been “agreed” between the two sides for the sell-on clause to be bought out.
It is reported that the Reds will pay £500,000 to Derby for the removal of the clause, meaning that they keep all of any potential future transfer fees.