Derby fans have reason to be excited over recent transfer speculation

Follow us on Google Discover

Derby County have been linked with two new players this week.

Derby County supporters have reason to be excited ahead of this summer as players such as Darragh Lenihan and Aaron Eyoma have been linked with a move to the East Midlands club.

The Rams are currently in the mix for a spot in the Championship playoffs this season as they lie in fifth position in the table, three points above an in-form Millwall in seventh.

For many, it seems it’s a case of last-chance-saloon for Derby as they boast one of the oldest squads in the Championship with several players seeing their contracts come to an end within the next 15 months.

It marks the end of a rather frustrating period for Rams fans, where the club abandoned their highly admirable approach for reckless spending in a bid to push the team over the line in terms of promotion.

Over £40 million in transfer fees have been spent over the past three seasons alone, yet the team has gone backwards in ability from their 2013/14 playoff final squad and the average age much higher.

The squad wage bill has trebled since 2013/14, and popular academy products such as Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick have left for the top-flight and been replaced by ageing players like Joe Ledley and Tom Huddlestone.

Gary Rowett has signed four players over the age of 30 since becoming manager last year, despite calls for an emphasis to be placed on bringing in younger stars who can come in and progress at Pride Park.

That’s why recent speculation linking 20-year-old Eyoma (allnigeriasoccer.com) and Blackburn Rovers’ 24-year-old defender Lenihan (The Sun on Sunday, April 8^th, page 61) is no doubt a step in the right direction.

Both players may not be great headline-makers, but they’re exactly the sort of low-key signings which Nigel Clough made during his tenure at Derby and are the kind which proved excellent value for money.

The Rams need to freshen the playing squad up, and Rowett will undoubtedly receive patience and backing of supporters if it’s evident he is building for long-term success rather than solely focusing on the here and now.