Derby County paid £10 million to sign Krystian Bielik from Premier League Arsenal – can he lead Phillip Cocu’s Derby County out of the Championship?
As if Derby County weren’t under enough pressure to bring Premier League football back to Pride Park, Krystian Bielik has pretty much admitted to Onet Sport that he could walk out on The Rams if they once again fall short of reaching the promised land.
A £10 million signing from Arsenal this summer (Sky), Bielik’s arrival felt like a real statement of intent from the Championship’s perennial nearly-men after May’s play-off final defeat to Aston Villa.
But while the Poland U21 star has impressed in his four league games so far, the same cannot be said of his Derby team-mates.
Phillip Cocu’s reign isn’t going to plan with the East Midland giants sitting 19th in the Championship after Saturday’s harrowing 3-0 defeat at Brentford. There may be just four points separating Derby from the top six but a place in the play-offs feels a long way away already.
So Bielik’s comments, while understandable, could perhaps have been better timed.
“I’ve signed a five-year contract. My ambition is a promotion with the Derby County team. If it does not happen this season, we will try next year. If we do not succeed next year, I do not know what will happen, because I would like to play in the highest league,” said a midfielder-turned-centre-back who was signed for Arsenal by Arsene Wenger.
“I will fight to get there with my current team but if we don’t succeed, there may be a club from the Premier League that will want to loan or buy me.”
Clearly, Bielik is desperate to play in the top flight as soon as possible and if Derby cannot make his dreams come true, he will look for a club who can.
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