Derby’s new best XI with three new signings

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Derby County’s first-team is now looking quite exciting.

Derby County have just made their first permanent signing this summer as they have brought in speedy winger Florian Jozefzoon from fellow Championship side Brentford for a reported £2.75 million fee (Sky Sports).

The 27-year-old will replace Andreas Weimann who joined Bristol City earlier this summer, and for a reported net spend of just £750,000 (Daily Star), it has to be looked at as a very good deal for the Rams.

Jozefzoon joins fellow loan stars Mason Mount and Harry Wilson as Derby’s summer additions, and all three should be deemed first-team regulars and a noticeable step up on the team’s XI from last term.

With Derby seemingly tight in terms of Financial Fair Play, newly-appointed manager Frank Lampard has done a decent job in the transfer market in improving the first-team without any sizeable spending.

Here we take a look at the Rams’ strongest line up with their new arrivals:

There are no changes to the back four, though youngsters Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle can provide competition to the full-back slots while Alex Pearce remains a solid back-up to the central pairing duo.

Where Derby now have options is in midfield and the final third. Tom Huddlestone is the club’s best holding midfielder at present, though George Thorne could regain that spot if he proves his fitness.

Joe Ledley, Craig Bryson, Jacob Butterfield, Bradley Johnson, Jamie Hanson and Timi Elsnik provide fellow midfield options, though it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Lampard try and shift one or two on.

Likewise, Derby have fellow wide options in youngsters Luke Thomas and Mason Bennett, while Nick Blackman and Ikechi Anya are also possibilities though both have been out of favour at the club over the past 18 months.

Upfront the Rams have several options in Chris Martin, David Nugent, Cameron Jerome and Matej Vydra, and assuming the latter remains at the club, then Lampard may look to shift at least one other on if possible.

Derby’s current first-team XI is starting to take shape and has plenty of potential for a Championship promotion challenge this season. The squad, however, still needs trimming as it remains bloated with ageing players on big wages.