Seven of the Rams’ heroes from the promotion run have already left the team; the most recent departure being Louie Sibley, who moved to Oxford United at the end of his contract.
Additionally, Derby has added a number of replacements. Earlier this summer, Jerry Yates arrived to Pride Park on loan from Swansea City, and Kayden Jackson and Ben Osborn joined on permanent contracts.
However, those lower on the hierarchy will only have an even harder time getting game time as additional arrivals are probably on the way in the coming weeks.
As the preseason heats up and Derby’s squad begins to take shape, FLW takes a closer look at two individuals who might be given the boot, either permanently or temporarily.
Tyrese Fornah
Tyrese Fornah, 24, had a difficult time establishing himself as a regular in Paul Warne’s squad after moving from the red side of the East Midlands to the black and white last summer.
The Sierre Leone international spent most of the 2023–24 season out of the starting lineup due to injuries and poor form, making just nine starts from 19 league games. With only four appearances since the start of the year, Fornah will need to perform well in forthcoming friendlies in order to have a chance of finishing this transfer window at Derby.
Fornah’s predicament was made worse by the January signing of 28-year-old Ebou Adams on loan from Cardiff City. Adams excelled in defensive midfield and helped the Rams return to the Championship at just their second attempt.
The best-case situation for both sides might be a loan for the 24-year-old, particularly if Derby is able to re-engage Adams. Fornah only won 47.1% of his tackles, whereas Adams, who is 28 years old, won 66%.
With Fornah’s contract set to expire in 2025, a return to League One may present Warne with the ideal chance to prove to him that he has what it takes to establish himself as a vital member of his squad and get a new one.
Conor Washington
In July of last year, Conor Washington, 32, signed a two-year contract to rejoin his former manager Warne after leaving Rotherham United.
Like Fornah, though, the English-born Northern Ireland striker had an injury-plagued season in 2023–2024 and then found it difficult to get past James Collins for a starting 11 spot when he was well.
Although the 32-year-old scored three goals with an xG rate of just 1.28, he occasionally lacked the cutting edge that Dwight Gayle and James Collins had displayed in their games.
Dajaune Brown’s ascent over the past year may make it difficult for Washington to be the third-choice attacker, and at this stage of his career, he wants to play football consistently. The only way the former Miller can make double figures in appearances and goals this season may be to drop back down the divisions, possibly to League Two.
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