Signing Ed Williams would further enhance Frank Lampard’s popularity among Derby fans

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Derby County have been linked with Kidderminster Harriers ace Ed Williams.

According to a report by The Non-League Football Paper, Derby County are among three Championship clubs tracking Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Ed Williams following his impressive start to the season.

The report names Ipswich Town and Leeds United as fellow suitors, with the trio said to have scouted the player at some point this season as the playmaker tops the scoring charts with six goals in seven games.

It would be a gamble to suggest Williams is already good enough to play at Championship level considering he’s never featured above Non-League level but signing him would be exciting news for Derby supporters.

Frank Lampard has quickly established himself as an extremely popular figure among the Rams fans, with the former Chelsea midfielder taking over the managerial reigns at Pride Park and immediately impressing.

On the field, Derby have enjoyed five wins in nine league games using an attractive possession-based style of play, while Tuesday’s EFL Cup victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford further enhanced his popularity.

But aside from results and performances on the pitch, Derby fans have been impressed with Lampard’s long-term vision as greater emphasis has been placed on signing young players and utilising academy graduates.

Jayden Bogle and Mason Bennett have established themselves as first-team regulars, while Duane Holmes, George Evans and Jack Marriott have all been signed on permanent deals with one eye on the future.

Kidderminster’s Williams would be another signing in that mould, with the 23-year-old perhaps cited as a potential long-term replacement for both Bradley Johnson and Craig Bryson who are out of contract next summer.

With Lampard planning long-term success at Derby, supporters are much more accepting of a slow, gradual process compared to former manager Gary Rowett who only seemingly targeted immediate success with his signings of Curtis Davies, Tom Huddlestone and Cameron Jerome proving to be expensive short-term options only.