Carlton Palmer has said Derby County will face a ‘big problem’ if they sign one of their transfer targets this summer.
Derby are gearing up for a busy summer, as while 12 players see their contracts expire at Pride Park, Paul Warne has several additions to make to his squad to equip themselves for the Championship.
Warne sought to bolster his side by permanently acquiring loan hero Ebou Adams from Cardiff City, although the Rams saw their £250,000 bid rejected by the Bluebirds.
It appears the priority for Derby is to improve their midfield and attack as they scored the joint fewest number of goals in the league’s top six (78), but conceded the least number of goals (37).
So, when links emerged about them joining the race to sign Viktor Johansson, most were surprised.
Current number one Joe Wildsmith, although out of contract in the summer, kept an impressive 20 clean sheets and won the League One Golden Glove.
The 28-year-old came into his own towards the end of the campaign, producing vital saves in the 0-0 draw against Wycombe and a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Former Sheffield Wednesday player Carlton Palmer has had his say on this situation brewing in Derbyshire.
Carlton Palmer believes signing Viktor Johansson is a ‘huge problem’
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “This is a difficult one, this one, I can understand that Paul Warne would be in pole position to sign Viktor, having managed the player before.
“But I think he will have a real big problem, as Joe Wildsmith has been very impressive for Derby County this season and if you’re going to sign somebody like Viktor, he is going to come in as your number one goalkeeper, whereas Wildsmith has picked up all the accolades this season.
“He has won the Golden Glove; he has been absolutely outstanding for Paul Warne this season. 20 clean sheets, so I think the problem that Paul Warne has, that’s why he’s probably being linked with a Johannson is Wildsmith’s contract is up at the end of the season.”
Joe Wildsmith deserves a new Derby County contract
Warne is faced with a difficult situation. It’s clear that he’d love to link back up with his former player Johansson, but it could come at the cost of losing Wildsmith.
Palmer is right in saying that the Swedish giant won’t come to Derby to be a second choice after starring for Rotherham in the Championship.
Equally, it seems a stupid idea for the Rams to spend £900,000 on a goalkeeper when there are other fires to put out and Wildsmith is perfectly fine.
Derby’s focus should be poured into giving the former Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper a new contract, as opposed to spending money on Johansson when other areas of the squad need bolstering.
Of course, the 25-year-old is a ‘top class’ keeper – as acknowledged by Millers boss Steve Evans – but it would only make sense to sign him if they released Wildsmith.
And after watching him keep 20 clean sheets in League One, that would be a bizarre decision.
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