Derby County should swoop for a ‘wonderful’ Conor Hourihane replacement on a free transfer this summer.
Excitement is building ahead of Derby’s return to the Championship and after releasing six of their first-team players – including captain Conor Hourihane – the prospect of playing second-tier football is starting to feel real.
Hourihane was a key figure in Paul Warne’s dressing room, with his leadership expertise and quality on the pitch shining through in League One.
The set-piece expert accumulated five goals and eight assists in 41 third-tier appearances last term as Derby finished second behind champions Portsmouth.
As a result, many were left surprised that Hourihane wasn’t offered a short-term deal, though it appears the 33-year-old wants to take the leap into coaching, which is why he left Pride Park.
The midfield maestro did enjoy an incredible two years in Derbyshire, although his departure has left a giant shaped hole in Warne’s engine room.
Derby’s midfield takes priority this summer
Derby offered new contracts to academy graduates Liam Thompson and Darren Robinson but aside from that, the only other midfielder on their books is Tyrese Fornah.
Following the departures of Korey Smith, Hourihane, Max Bird and Ebou Adams, the Rams need some serious reinforcements in midfield.
A touch of athleticism and power wouldn’t go amiss with Warne confident of signing Adams permanently but having watched Hourihane move on to pastures new, his void needs filling with someone just as, if not, even more experienced.
Derby County should move for Oliver Norwood
Sheffield United’s disastrous Premier League campaign which resulted in relegation to the Championship also saw a string of exits from the club, including veteran midfielder Oliver Norwood.
The 33-year-old was almost ever-present in the Blades midfield during his time at the club, featuring 252 times across six years.
A two-time promotion winner with the South Yorkshire side, Norwood built up a strong partnership alongside Scottish machine John Fleck.
Whilst Fleck was known for breaking up play, Norwood excited supporters with his exceptional passing range, recording an 89% pass completion in his own half in the Premier League.
In place of Hourihane, Derby could sign a player capable of dictating proceedings at the base of midfield who is equally good at reading the game.
Although the Blades suffered a damaging relegation, the ‘wonderful’ maestro still read the game superbly, ranking in the top 27% of Premier League midfielders for tackles and the top 19% for interceptions per 90.
At the base of the Rams midfield, Norwood would be able to kickstart attacks while putting a midfield destroyer like Adams next to him would allow them to form an incredible partnership.
If the veteran is willing to take a pay cut, replacing Hourihane with Norwood feels like a no-brainer.
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