Derby County look to be edging nearer to appointing John Eustace with Blackburn Rovers now resigned to their boss speaking to the Rams over a possible swap.
Certainly, it has now been confirmed by the Riversiders – through their X account – that the 45-year-old is eyeing a transfer away from Ewood Park to return to acquainted environment in Satisfaction Park, having beforehand completed his taking part in days pulling on a Rams shirt.
This may come as a significant blow to Blackburn who’re sat within the Championship playoff positions beneath the ex-Birmingham Metropolis supervisor.
In the meantime, Derby languish close to the foot of the division after Paul Warne had guided his lowly staff to seven straight league defeats earlier than being binned.
With Eustace in cost, the goal will little question be to stand up the league standings away from any relegation hassle, with this dream XI beneath what the Solihull-born boss may favor if he’s to tackle the reins shortly…
1
GK – Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
Within the goalkeeper place, Eustace is prone to stick with Swedish shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with the summer season purchase starring in patches this season for his relegation-threatened staff.
Certainly, Zetterstrom has 5 clear sheets subsequent to his identify and has carried out valiantly whilst his aspect went on that prolonged dropping streak, with seven saves amassed away at Cardiff Metropolis in the direction of the again finish of January.
2
RB – Ryan Nyambe
The primary change may see Ryan Nyambe reinstated into the beginning XI on the right-back spot after discovering himself dropped for Derby’s final outing away at Norwich Metropolis.
In any case, Eustace may view the ex-Blackburn man’s expertise of the extent as an enormous plus in making an attempt to maintain his new aspect afloat within the second tier, with Nyambe as much as 196 profession appearances within the Championship.
3
CB – Sondre Klingen Langås
Eustace would have beloved to enter the constructing with Eiran Cashin nonetheless at his disposal, however the principle Rams titan on the again has now departed his boyhood employers for a shot within the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Subsequently, the potential new Rams boss should make do with contemporary centre-back recruit Sondre Klingen Langås as an alternative, who did impress in flashes at Carrow Highway final match.
Associated
2025 winter switch window: Each finished deal from the Championship
Each winter switch from the second tier might be discovered right here.
Costing £4m to acquire from his native Norway, it appears as if Langas is the pure successor to Cashin, with three clearances registered and one duel gained in Norfolk.
4
CB – Nathaniel Phillips
He’ll probably be partnered by Liverpool loanee Nathaniel Phillips in a four-at-the-back formation, transferring away from the five-at-the-back on present versus Norwich.
While the 27-year-old is but to select up a clear sheet this season within the Championship, he has additionally impressed these watching on in spurts when instances have been robust, with eight duels gained away at Bristol Metropolis proper in the beginning of January whilst Derby fell to a slim 1-0 loss.
5
LB – Callum Elder
One other change defensively may come on the left-back spot, as a Warne favorite in Ben Osborn – who has been current 22 instances within the league this marketing campaign whilst an ageing 30-year-old – is axed for promotion-winner Callum Elder.
Throughout that promotion-winning season, Elder was a utility member of the squad Warne may depend upon, with the ex-Hull Metropolis man profitable a excessive 4.3 duels per recreation this marketing campaign when chucked into the staff.
6
CM – Ebou Adams
With Eustace’s choice for a 4-2-3-1 formation coming into play right here, he’ll need a robust, no-nonsense midfield presence in his ranks to shore up the defence and he has simply that in Derby battler Ebou Adams.
The previous Cardiff Metropolis midfielder has remarkably gained 8.3 complete duels a match within the second tier this season, alongside additionally being well-equipped to fireside a purpose dwelling with 4 strikes tallied up.
7
CM – David Ozoh
Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh seems prone to companion Adams within the central midfield space of the staff, with the Eagles teenager additionally able to rolling his sleeves up for the trigger.
From his eight league appearances to date, Ozoh has gained 5.6 duels per recreation along with his promising exhibiting in opposition to Norwich maybe placing him in Eustace’s early good books, with seven floor duels efficiently registered on prime of finishing all his dribbles when making an attempt to instigate a Derby assault.
8
RM – Nathaniel Mendez Laing
Nathaniel Mendez Laing is in want of respiratory life again into his taking part in days at Satisfaction Park, having solely picked up two targets and 4 assists to date this marketing campaign after a whirlwind League one season prior.
Certainly, the ex-Cardiff winger tore the third tier to shreds with a shocking 9 targets and 16 assists picked up, with Eustace now desirous to revive the “essential” ace – as he was as soon as labelled by soccer journalist Jacob Hackett – again to his horrifying finest.
9
CAM – Kenzo Goudmijn
With this formation swap in place, Eustace might be ready to push promising Dutch midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn additional up the sector right into a quantity ten spot.
In any case, Goudmijn has one among his two Championship targets for the season from this extra attacking-oriented function, along with his artistic aptitude to select up two assists additionally lending itself to this new spot within the aspect.
Having been labelled as “extremely proficient” by soccer journalist Jake Barker again in December, the 23-year-old star may now probably thrive beneath Eustace’s contemporary concepts.
10
LM – Marcus Harness
Marcus Harness might be hoping {that a} new supervisor occupying the Satisfaction Park dug-out means extra game-time is handed his approach, along with his cameo in opposition to Norwich Metropolis final outing gifting his aspect a vital last-minute penalty.
Solely beginning 13 of his 26 Championship video games this marketing campaign, he might be set for an prolonged interval within the first staff beneath Eustace, with the ex-Ipswich City attacker additionally a promotion winner from this stage prior to now.
11
ST – Jerry Yates
Final, however certainly not least, Jerry Yates may nicely be the lone marksman Eustace needs on his arrival.
He was dropped for the sport in opposition to the Canaries, however nonetheless managed to show his value to his aspect on the demise by changing that late spot-kick, taking his second-tier purpose haul for the season as much as seven from 28 outings.
Associated
He is good for Mendez-Laing: Derby pushing to rent “glorious” new boss
Derby County look to be closing in on discovering Paul Warne’s alternative.
