Derby County have a number of contract decisions to resolve once the season draws to a close, with one player in particular deserving of a new deal.
Derby are within touching distance of reaching the Championship. Just a draw against Carlisle United on Saturday will see them clinch promotion.
Behind the scenes however, transfer plans will be drawn up ready for the reopening of the window, as Paul Warne is expected to have several players depart at the end of their contracts.
Derby boast the oldest side in League One, but the average age of their squad will be brought down dramatically if Dwight Gayle (34), Scott Loach (35) and Craig Forsyth (35) are all moved on.
Gayle, Loach and Forsyth are three of 12 players poised to depart the club, even more so if Warne’s men are playing in the second tier next season.
There are a few players who the Derby boss may consider keeping such as academy graduate Louie Sibley, top scorer James Collins and goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith.
Derby County should keep Joe Wildsmith
Wildsmith became the second signing of the David Clowes era, joining on a two-year contract from Sheffield Wednesday in July 2022.
The 28-year-old played in all 46 league matches last term and has continued as their number one this season. He’s only missed six matches as Warne’s backup keeper Josh Vickers is currently sidelined.
Although suspect with the ball at his feet, the £5.1k-a-week ace is a great shot-stopper and his world-class save in the goalless draw against Wycombe Wanderers helped earn The Rams a point.
Amassing an incredible 19 clean sheets in 39 appearances this term, the Derby number one has produced heroics with Warne lauding his outstanding saves in the 1-0 victory over Bolton as “unbelievable”.
Having played as a second-fiddle goalkeeper at Sheffield Wednesday, Wildsmith has built a strong understanding with central defenders Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson at Pride Park.
Derby County must keep the important trio together
Wildsmith is battling with Lincoln City goalkeeper Lukas Jensen for the Golden Glove. The pair are tied on 19 clean sheets respectively, with Derby’s defensive pairing largely contributing to that total.
Cashin and Nelson have been excellent at the back for Warne and have set the standard for the rest of the team.
As the saying goes, you can’t win a promotion without having a strong defence and Derby have proven that this season.
Their understanding as a duo and with Wildsmith has formed the foundations of their success.
While Warne will look to improve his back line, he mustn’t do it at the expense of Wildsmith, Cashin and Nelson, who all deserve to play regular football in the Championship.
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