Ozoh could be perfect fit in middle for Rams
PLENTY OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE IN THE SUMMER WINDOW
THE new Championship season kicks off in just a matter of weeks and Derby County fans have plenty of reasons to be excited ahead of their return to the second tier.
Paul Warne’s side travel to Ewood Park for their first game of the season against Blackburn Rovers, kicking off what should be a fascinating campaign.
And while anticipation builds, the Rams will hope they can continue the momentum from last season’s glorious promotion to stabilise in the second tier – the next part of the club’s plan under owner David Clowes.
Head coach Warne still has a month to put the finishing touches to his squad after making five signings so far – Kenzo Goudmijn, Ebou Adams, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates and Ben Osborn.
But for his dream window to be complete, the Rams head coach also needs a goalkeeper, at least two midfielders and a new striker.
Here’s the state of play at Pride Park Stadium in the summer transfer window:
■■Transfers
Derby have made five signings so far but there is still a lot of work to do with the squad.
A goalkeeper has to be a chief priority. The search has been going on since Joe Wildsmith left the club at the end of last season.
The Rams have been interested in Daniel Iversen of Leicester City on a season-long loan deal and they have also had a bid rejected for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom of Djurgarden.
To complete either of those deals will need a compromise with the Foxes and the Rams having to come to an arrangement regarding Ivesern’s wages, while Djurgarden may have to lower their expectations on the transfer fee for Zetterstrom.
But signing either one of those players would be most welcome given Josh Vickers is the only experienced goalkeeper on the books and if he picks up an injury that would be a blow the Rams could well do without.
Moving up to the middle of the pitch, the Rams have been linked with a move for David Ozoh, Crystal Palace’s highly-rated midfielder who, at 19, made 13 appearances last season and impressed in a draw with Manchester City.
Derby have reportedly stolen a march on other teams and he looks to be another all-action midfielder that Warne has been looking for.
The Rams’ midfield has been one of the most intriguing areas of the pitch this window and with Adams and Osborn already in place, Ozoh would be an excellent signing, providing they can get the deal done.
He certainly fits the profile that Warne is looking for in terms of adding tenacity, pace and aggression to an important area of the pitch.
■■Departures
The Rams released six players at the end of last season as Conor Hourihane, Korey Smith, Joe Wildsmith, Martyn Waghorn, Dwight Gayle and
Scott Loach departed. Louie Sibley also turned down a new contract to join the Rams’ Championship rivals Oxford United.
Derby have no plan to allow any more players to leave and if there are departures it will be players who may find first-team football hard to come by at Pride Park Stadium next season.
Several League Two clubs continue to monitor young Rams striker Dajaune Brown after his loan spell with Gateshead last season. The striker joined the Rams’ pre-season camp in Spain and is likely to feature in the remainder of the pre-season schedule as Warne gives Brown every chance to stake his claim.
Derby fended off serious Premier League interest in Eiran Cashin last season, the defender signing a new contract that effectively ended speculation over his future.
■ Derby County’s dream XI: Iversen, Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Wilson, Osborn, Ozoh, Adams, Elder; Jackson, Yates.