Derby County have a clear transfer plan to invest in their attack this summer ahead of a gruelling Championship campaign.
The Rams finished last campaign as the joint-lowest scorers in the playoffs with Paul Warne’s men finishing second in League One.
Derby are looking to address their lack of goal threat this summer, prompting links to Sheffield Wednesday striker Josh Windass, Oxford United’s Josh Murphy and Brest winger Karamoko Dembele.
It is clear that for Warne’s squad to finish on the right side of the dotted line come May, they’ll need to be clinical in the final third, hence why there’s an emphasis on signing multiple quality attackers.
Unfortunately, there are winners and losers from this transfer plan and one of those is Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Corey Blackett-Taylor’s time at Derby County so far
Blackett-Taylor was a statement signing from League One rivals Charlton Athletic in their pursuit of promotion.
The 26-year-old was one of the most potent wingers in the division and during the 2022/23 campaign at the Addicks, he registered eight goals and six assists in the league.
That level of return was enough to convince Derby supporters he could form a deadly trio with James Collins and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, although the fleet-footed winger had other ideas.
Blackett-Taylor had a few injury niggles in the first weeks of his arrival and never really got going after, producing just one assist in 13 appearances – slotting the ball into Joe Ward to fire home against Portsmouth.
Warne saw the Englishman at his best against the title winners as he committed defenders with his pace, power and skill.
He was dubbed “magnificent” in that draw against Pompey however, similar praise wasn’t forthcoming in the four matches that followed.
Heading into the Championship, Blackett-Taylor will get further opportunities to impress his manager, although Warne’s transfer plan may indicate otherwise.
Paul Warne’s Derby transfer plans assessed
Blackett-Taylor played most of his football on either flank for Derby, cutting in from the left or whipping in crosses from the right.
Warne has previously said he wants to add pace and athleticism to his attack.
This has seen Derby show an interest in multiple wingers, with Dembele and Murphy both on their radar.
What that suggests is, that Warne doesn’t have full trust in starting him in the Championship as either of those players linked would be an upgrade on the former England under-17 star.
Like many in the Rams squad, Blackett-Taylor doesn’t have any experience of playing in the second tier, making just one appearance as a youngster at Aston Villa.
Warne is currently looking to sign an upgrade on his current wide options, perhaps pushing Blackett-Taylor down the pecking order.
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