Derby County manager Paul Warne may have to take brutal action regarding one of his star players this summer, and let him go.
Derby County have 12 players out of contract this summer, with some important first-team players on that list as well.
The Rams are already working on a new deal for Darren Robinson and Warne will likely have others who he’s keen to keep hold of for the 2024/25 season.
But stepping up to the Championship, Derby County will really need to add quality this summer if they want to beat the drop next time round.
Birmingham City were relegated with a staggering 50 points this season which shows the increasing level of talent in the Championship.
So to ensure he has enough quality at his disposal, Warne may need to clear some room in the wage bill, which could mean making some difficult decisions regarding certain players; perhaps none more so than Conor Hourihane.
Conor Hourihane Derby County future
Hourihane, previously described as a ‘leader’ by Warne, is one of the 12 out of contract this summer, following a two-year stint with the club in which he’s featured 98 times in all competitions, scoring 13 and assisting 19.
In the 2023/24 season, the 33-year-old Irishman scored five and assisted eight more, popping up with some important winning goals in games against Burton Albion and Reading.
But Hourihane would go on to play more of a back up role in the final weeks of the season. He didn’t start any of Derby’s final six games of the season, and since the turn of the year, he’s only finished a full 90 minutes of seven occasions.
There’s concerns among supporters about his fitness levels, especially ahead of a tough Championship campaign, so for Warne, it may well be time to part ways with the Rams skipper.
What next for Conor Hourihane at Derby County
Whether or not he stays remains to be seen; there is of course the argument that Hourihane would be a useful player next time round, for as long as he can stay match-fit, but he’s also the highest-earning player at the club according to Salary Sport.
So moving him on would open up room in the wage bill for either a couple of players to come in, or even another marquee signing.
It would also open a spot in the midfield for a new and fresher player to come in, with Derby in need of some added pace ahead of their return to the second tier.
Midfield is often where games are won and lost in the Championship and so Warne needs to make sure he has enough bodies and enough physicality and quality in that department.
Whilst Hourihane brings technical quality, there are definite question marks over his physicality, so it might be best that Hourihane moves on and takes another challenge this season.
He showed in 2023/24 that he remains a quality player at League One level and so he won’t be short of suitors if he moves on.
But he’ll need to be managed and utilised in the correct way, as to ensure that whoever his next manager is gets the best out of him.
It certainly seems harsh to release him after his service at Pride Park, but it may be the best outcome for all involved.
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