Paul Warne can repeat the success of loaning out Dajaune Brown with another ‘fantastic’ Derby County youngster this summer.
Derby’s academy is a goldmine for young talent having watched current first-team stars Eiran Cashin and Louie Sibley develop through their underage groups.
The Rams have also seen many talented youngsters leave the club to spread their wings elsewhere, including Will Hughes, Morgan Whittaker and most recently, Max Bird.
Of the current precocious talents coming through the academy, striker Dajaune Brown is arguably the most highly-rated, with Gateshead manager lauding him an “absolute diamond” following his incredible loan spell.
Derby loaned Brown out to the National League side in January and the teenager scored an impressive six goals in seven league starts.
The 18-year-old even wrote his name into Gateshead folklore in the FA Trophy final against Solihull Moors, scoring the equaliser in extra time before bagging the winner from the penalty spot.
Brown is a prime example of why it’s important to loan out youngsters for their development, and Warne should repeat that success with Jake Rooney.
What happened to Jake Rooney?
Highly-rated centre-back Rooney started the season firmly in the manager’s plans after impressing across nine league appearances in the 2022/23 campaign.
Rooney was drafted into a back three alongside Cashin and Curtis Nelson in victories over Fleetwood Town and Peterborough United.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
The ball-playing defender impressed Warne in those matches and started the next one against Bolton Wanderers in September however, he’d only last 21 minutes before his world came crashing down.
Rooney suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which would sidelined him for the remainder of the season. It’s been a long road back for the 20-year-old but he’s now closing in on a return to training after Richie Barker dropped an encouraging update on the youngster last month.
It points towards the young defender returning ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but as Derby step up to the Championship, Rooney would be better off being loaned out.
Why Paul Warne should loan out Jake Rooney
“Class act” Rooney has been sidelined for over eight months and the talented centre-back will take a while to get up to match fitness.
With Nelson and Cashin established as Warne’s dominant defensive duo, opportunities to impress will be at a premium for the former Burnley man.
Of course, Rooney can build up his match sharpness in the under-21s, but for his development, a loan spell is more beneficial.
After flourishing in defence across the dozen matches he played, he’s shown he’s capable of playing at League One level and perhaps several clubs – even in League Two – would be willing to loan him.
Still only 20, Rooney should look at Brown as inspiration for how effective a temporary spell away from Pride Park can be.
He’s still learning his trade as a defender and the best thing he can do is play regular football, something he isn’t guaranteed at Derby currently.
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