Chris Martin has enjoyed a successful career in the Championship after a chaotic start to his football career, but has had a mixed season with Fulham.
Chris Martin is on a season long loan from Derby County
Signed by Derby County on a free transfer from Norwich City, following a loan spell at Pride Park, Martin scored 20 league goals in his full season for the Rams. His goals took the Rams to Wembley where they were cruelly denied a place in the Premier League by a dogged 10 man QPR side.
Derby have failed to reach the same heights but Martin has been a reliable scoring outlet for the Rams and his career statistics at the club reflect this. A total of 63 goals in 161 games is not an exceptional record by any stretch of the imagination but his role as the centre forward in the side was instrumental.
The 4-3-3 formation has been largely associated with Derby in previous campaigns and Martin’s role as the focal point in attack was nothing short of pivotal. His team mates as well opposing players knew this equally.
After earning himself the title of being Derby’s top goalscorer three seasons on the spin, his move to Championship rivals in a loan move on transfer deadline day in August came as a surprise to supporters.
Derby were managed by Nigel Pearson, an advocate of the traditional 4-4-2 formation and speculation on Martin’s Derby future was fuelled by his visible discontent of playing in the new style of play in which Pearson was trying to implement at the club. The signs were there and the Derby faithful had become restless with the forward’s general attitude and questioned his commitment towards the cause.
As Martin began to find his feet at Fulham and rekindle his goalscoring touch at Craven Cottage, Steve McClaren returned to Derby. Martin played his best football under McClaren and was keen on a reunion as Derby began their ascent towards the Championship play-offs.
Chris Martin is Fulham’s top goalscorer this season
In January, Martin signed a new deal with the Rams despite Fulham’s option to buy him on a permanent deal in the summer. The fall out between the two clubs over this unusual scenario has been well documented. It is still not clear where Martin will be playing his club football next season.
Fulham remain adamant that they still have an option to buy Martin at the end of the season but will the Cottagers be willing to pay out a big transfer fee for a player that is arguably not fully committed to the cause? It looks likely that Martin will be back at Pride Park next season.
However with Fulham now in serious contention for promotion to the Premier League and Derby destined for Championship football, will Martin be as a keen as he was back in January to play for the Rams next campaign? And will the sacking of McClaren, in which Martin was clearly a crucial part of his plans, have any bearing on his willingness to return to his parent club under new boss Gary Rowett?
A lot of questions are yet to be answered and it will be interesting to see where all parties stand on this matter come the end of the season. If Martin is to return to Derby then supporters will be hoping to see a rejuvenated Chris Martin hungry to help fire the side into the Premier League. If he is to rediscover his best form in a Derby County shirt then Derby fans will be more than happy to have their number nine back leading the line.
Derby have struggled in front of goal this season – scoring only 39 goals so far
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