Gary Rowett is aiming to put his stamp on his Derby County team and signing Kevin Stewart from Liverpool would be a step in the right direction.
Just 12 months after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was singing the praises of dynamic young midfielder Kevin Stewart, it appears that the Merseyside giants will let him leave so he can fulfil his dreams of more regular first-team football.
Sky Sports report that six teams are fighting it out for Stewart’s signature with Stoke, Burnley, Brighton, Aston Villa and Norwich all interested. However, it is links with Derby County that perhaps carry the most intrigue.
After all, Rams boss Gary Rowett has made clear that he will take a hands-on approach to the transfer market this summer after the perennial underachievers wasted huge funds on a number of ill-fitting signings in recent seasons.
And despite the fact Stewart has played only 18 minutes of Premier League football all season with Klopp evidently having a change of heart about the one-time Tottenham prospect, it appears that signing Stewart would help Rowett put his stamp on this muddled Derby team.
We need to talk about Kevin
The 23-year-old is a tigerish competitor who could add some much needed bite to the Rams’ midfield – something they’ve been badly missing this season.
“One thing I’d say about Kevin since he’s come in is that he’s the hardest working player we have got,” former Liverpool academy coach Michael Beale once said, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.
If there’s one characterisation that sums up Rowett’s previous Burton Albion and Birmingham City sides, it’s that they scrap for every ball and invest 100 per cent in every match. Therefore, the hard-working Stewart appears a Rowett favourite in making.
He’d certainly fit in better than Julien De Sart in any case. The 22-year-old joined on loan from Middlesbrough in January but his lack of industry and apparent aversion to ‘putting his foot in’ meant he lost his place almost as soon as Rowett arrived.
De Sart has not played a league game since early March.
If the Belgian’s departure coincides with Stewart’s arrival, it will be the first surefire sign of change under Rowett’s tenure.
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