Derby County fans are looking ahead to next season as another year in the Championship beckons, and understandably they will be keen to see who fits in new boss Gary Rowett’s plans.
Gary Rowett took over Derby at the start of this month
With the Rams sitting nine points adrift of the play-off places with just eight games to go, Rowett’s thoughts will be on plans for next season’s promotion push and many fans are expecting a squad overhaul this summer. After high investment injected into the squad by chairman Mel Morris in previous seasons, it is likely that the exit door will be in use more than the arrivals one.
After a number of near misses and disastrous collapses, the mentality of the Derby players has been brought into question by supporters. Many believe that the key to future success lies closer to home at Pride Park and that is time that talent produced by the academy may provide the answer to their problems. Here are three players that may feature heavily in Rowett’s plans for next season.
Max Lowe
This year has been Lowe’s breakthrough year for the Rams after being handed his first team start by caretaker manager Chris Powell. The 19-year-old is a graduate of the youth academy and has impressed Derby supporters when he has played this season.
The left back has been in and out of the side since making his debut in September in a 2-0 victory at Cardiff City due to injuries. Derby are blessed with options in Lowe’s position, with Marcus Olsson and Craig Forsyth also options at left-back.
Despite this, Lowe has shown his capabilities in his nine appearances this season and fans will be keen to see more of him in the first team picture next season.
Derby’s Max Lowe and Cardiff’s Craig Noone in action
Timi Max Elsnik
The 18-year-old midfielder has made two appearances for the Derby first team this season, both of which came in the EFL Cup. He has also impressed for the U23 side and is thought highly of by the academy staff.
The Slovenian has already made an impression on Rams boss Rowett, who labelled Elsnik as “very good” in a recent interview with the Derby Telegraph.
Next season may come as too soon for Elsnik to make a serious bid for a place in the first team if you look at Derby’s current midfield options, but he is on the new boss’ radar and that can only be a positive thing.
Mason Bennett
Bennett is Derby’s record holder for the club’s youngest-ever first team player after starting in a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough aged just 15 years and 99 days back in October 2011.
Fast forward to March 2017 and Bennett is aged 20 years old and not had the impact on the first team that Rams fans would’ve been hoping for. Injuries have put a stall on his development but now is the time for Bennett to make himself a regular fixture in this Derby side.
The striker came off the bench in Rowett’s first match in charge of Derby at Nottingham Forest and put in an impressive performance in his cameo role. Rowett has a track record of bringing through young talent at Birmingham and Bennett will be hoping that he can do the same for him.
Mason Bennett in action
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
