Paul Warne can resolve a key Derby County issue by landing an ‘amazing’ gem this summer.
Derby County are edging closer to making their first addition to the squad since being promoted to the Championship, with Alan Nixon claiming they’re ‘close’ to signing a couple of players.
That will be music to the ears of Rams supporters across the globe as their squad is looking depleted after releasing six first-team stars, two of which were midfielders.
Currently, Paul Warne has just Tyrese Fornah and academy graduates Darren Robinson and Liam Thompson to choose from in the middle of the park after releasing Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane.
Derby are very interested in bringing Ebou Adams back to Pride Park following his successful loan spell but if they do sign the combative midfielder, they’ll need a touch of class alongside him.
James McConnell is a loan option Paul Warne should explore
Adams is just a long list of successful loan signings Derby have made in recent years, joining the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Harry Wilson and Mason Mount from the 2018/19 campaign.
Having returned to the Championship, Warne’s men have been linked to a few Premier League loans, including Liverpool’s Bobby Clark.
However, there is another midfielder from the Reds – James McConnell – who should catch the eye of Warne.
McConnell was one of several youngsters who impressed in the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea in March, with the 2004-born talent holding his own against the riches of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
He played 33 minutes on that night as a Virgil van Dijk goal sealed victory however, it isn’t the only time he’s impressed, with Jurgen Klopp dubbing him a “joy to watch” in last year’s pre-season friendly against Leicester City.
Normally used as an attack-minded midfielder at youth level, McConnell was asked to play a holding role in that victory and drew a lot of praise from Klopp as a result.
McConnell’s under-21 coach, Barry Lewtas, also noted his ability to operate across a number of positions, telling the press in October 2023: “He is showing us lots of different things to his game this year, playing as a No. 6, scoring headers. It just goes to show what he can do.”
Where James McConnell would fit in at Derby County
A loan to the Championship has been the catalyst for many players to have successful careers, including Harry Kane at Leicester City, so for 19-year-old McConnell, there are plenty of benefits to playing in the second tier.
At Derby, Warne has multiple systems but more often than not, he plays a midfield two at the base. That was normally occupied by Smith and Adams towards the end of last term however, replacing Smith with the Liverpool youngster would be a huge upgrade.
As cited by his under-21 coach Lewtas, McConnell is adept at playing in a deeper midfield role, utilising his exceptional vision and passing range to dictate play centrally.
Derby need to sign more players who are comfortable on the ball and the “amazing” Liverpool talent, who recorded an assist against Norwich on his debut, can pull the strings.
In their attempts to control more of the ball in the second tier, partnering McConnell next to the destructive Adams is a midfield duo that would keep the Rams comfortably in the division.
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