Ebou Adams completes the signing: Paul Warne’s elation depends on these scenarios unfolding at Derby County
Should these three things materialize this summer, Derby County will be in excellent condition going into the Championship.
With the Rams making a return to the second division following two seasons in League One, Derby County will already be getting set for a run at the Championship.
After accomplishing the feat three times with Rotherham United, Paul Warne maintained his record of leading a team into the league and getting promoted from the third tier each time.
In order to compete against the best the EFL has to offer, County will need to get ready for the step up this summer. To improve the team, contract renewals and fresh hires will be required.
In this article, we examine the best-case scenario for Warne in the off-season, highlighting three crucial issues that must be resolved before they return to the second division in August.
Hold onto vital players
The Rams have several players whose contracts at Pride Park are about to expire this summer. Warne would be really pleased if they could secure extended contracts for some of those individuals.
Local boy Louie Sibley has not yet agreed to a new contract with Derby, so the club’s executives will be exerting all of their influence to try and keep the important midfield player on board past the summer.
At the age of 22, Sibley had made over 150 appearances for the team; as a youth, he had participated in over 60 games at the second division, thus his expertise at such an early age would be beneficial in the lower division.
In addition to Sibley, the club’s captain Conor Hourihane appears to be nearing the end of his tenure, as do goalie Joe Wildsmith and forwards James Collins and Tom Barkhuizen.
Warne would want to hold onto Wildsmith over the summer as the goalkeeper has shown himself to be among the best between the sticks outside of the Premier League. Wildsmith won the League One Golden Glove award for maintaining a league-high 20 clean sheets in the previous season.
| Derby County’s expiring contracts this summer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Louie Sibley | |||
| Joe Wildsmith | |||
| Tom Barkhuizen (one-year option) | |||
| Liam Thompson | |||
| Dwight Gayle | |||
| Conor Hourihane | |||
| Korey Smith | |||
| James Collins | |||
| Craig Forsyth | |||
| Martyn Waghorn | |||
| Darren Robinson | |||
| Scott Loach | |||
The experience that players like Collins or Hourihane can offer would be invaluable in their return to the second tier, even though Warne has emphasised the need for younger, fresh legs in the summer. Both players have had enough experience to stand their ground at Championship level.
Encourage Ebou Adams to commit to County full-time
After joining County from Cardiff City in January, Ebou Adams has started all 17 of the games that he has participated in. He has significantly improved the team’s performance.
With his dominant performances in the middle of the park, the Gambian star only experienced defeat once throughout his tenure at Pride Park, which contributed to the need for his permanent signing this summer.
Since joining the Bluebirds in the summer of 2022, the former Forest Green Rovers player has endured a difficult time due to injuries. Of his eleven Championship games to date, only three have come from the start.
Regarding the midfielder’s future, City manager Erol Bulut has been silent, but he hasn’t entirely ruled out the player leaving the team this summer.
“New season, if we are all together here, we will see how it goes,” he stated earlier this month. He is a player for Cardiff City and is still bound by their contract. Therefore, we’ll have to wait and see how he, his management, and the teams—Cardiff City and Derby—think.
“I believe they took him because they showed a great deal of interest in him. However, they must speak with our club if they wish to sign him permanently.”
Adams’ fondness for the club is understandable given that he won Goal of the Season for his spectacular strike in the 1-0 victory over Blackpool in March.
“I think the fans have said it all,” he remarked. I’ve had a great experience and I adore this place. It’s been amazing. To be honest, I’ve loved every minute of it. Thank you to the supporters and the team. I am really grateful to them.
“I’m going to enjoy my summer, first and foremost! I have no idea where I’m headed. I’m going to prioritize enjoying my summer, and then we’ll assess our progress. I’ve loved every minute of it, and I sincerely appreciate your hosting me.”
As he approaches the final year of his contract at Cardiff City Stadium, he might be open to moving, and because County is keen to get rid of him, there might be a mutually beneficial arrangement
Sign Macaulay Langstaff or Alfie May as a striker.
Warne will be hoping to recruit some new players to his attacking line in preparation for the upcoming season, as several forward players are expected to leave the team this summer.
Players like Tyreece John-Jules has returned to parent club Arsenal, while Collins, Barkhuizen, Martyn Waghorn, and Dwight Gayle all have questionable futures at the club as they approach the end of their contracts.
The Rams now have a huge void on their offensive line, and the Championship new boys will be looking to recruit one or two goal-scoring stars to aid them in their new environment.
Notts County’s Macaulay Langstaff, 27, has scored 70 league goals in the last two seasons between the National League and League Two, and the county has previously been reported to be interested in the player.
Warne’s rekindled interest in the forward would not be surprising, since he has already shown interest in Alfie May of Charlton Athletic.
Although neither player has ever played as high as the Championship, having a player who can consistently find the net would be extremely beneficial for the upcoming season because the goalposts are never moving.
