Derby County’s Andre Wisdom has largely been overlooked this season.
Derby County’s Andre Wisdom may be high on manager Frank Lampard’s list of potential sales this summer, with the right-back continuing to be overlooked despite Jayden Bogle’s inconsistent form.
The former Liverpool man was signed by Lampard’s predecessor Gary Rowett for a reported £3 million fee in the summer of 2017, putting pen-to-paper on a deal until 2021.
Most Derby fans were pleased with the signing. After all, Wisdom was a regular during the 2013/14 campaign where the Rams finished third on 85 points as then-manager Steve McClaren brought him in on loan.
But Wisdom seems to have declined in ability since those days. Even as a regular under Rowett, last term the 25-year-old looked slow, top heavy, too laboured in possession and lacking in attacking intent.
In the more attack-minded system which Lampard wants his Derby side to play, it was a clean slate for Wisdom but he has struggled to make an impact – losing his place to academy graduate Jayden Bogle.
Bogle, 18, has been excellent considering his age and lack of experience. However, since the turn of the year he has lost his way a little bit, and defensively he has been vulnerable to wingers looking to run at him.
Bogle has been needing a rest for about a month now, with his weary recent performances against Millwall and Nottingham Forest telling. But Lampard insists on playing him, presumably due to a lack of faith in other options.
It does not spell good news for Wisdom. He has made just eight starts this season, with arguably his best performance coming at left-back against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day.
Lampard will have the opportunity to reshape the squad this summer as several players are out of contract. But he will also be keen to raise funds for potential transfers, and Wisdom is an obvious choice if he can’t even edge out an out-of-form academy player with less than 30 senior career appearances.
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