Top Derby County Players Could Leave Should Paul Warne Successfully Execute a Summer Transfer Plan: Look at
Wildsmith’s strong performances and superior save percentages made it difficult for Vickers to get into the starting lineup on a regular basis.
Derby County’s goalkeeping position is becoming more competitive due to impending departures and new acquisitions.
Given the rise of youthful talent in the academy, Vickers may need to relocate in order to earn more playing time.
Josh Vickers turned rejected a three-year contract at Rotherham United to join Derby County in June 2023. Despite playing second fiddle to Joe Wildsmith the previous season, Vickers may not be able to get on the bench if Paul Warne achieves his goals.
Vickers, 28, joined Rotherham after being recruited by Warne in 2020, and two years later, he helped the Millers win promotion to League One. However, he only made thirty appearances in South Yorkshire before rejoining his old manager with the Rams for the 2023–2024 season.
While Wildsmith, his rival and colleague, won League One’s Golden Glove with 20 clean sheets, the 28-year-old saw much of his debut season at Pride Park from the sidelines.
Despite the honor, Wildsmith’s two-year tenure in the East Midlands will come to an end at the end of June when he departs the team as a free agent.
Last Monday, Warne gave an explanation of his resignation on talkSport, saying, “He was brilliant throughout.” His agreement expired. Last season, we spoke about starting a new one, but it didn’t work out, so we moved on. In comparison to my current number one, I wish to sign a better one.”
Why Vickers had trouble leaving his mark
The former youth product of Arsenal was recruited to provide competition for Wildsmith, but for much of the season, he was unable to outperform the Rams’ first choice.
Vickers made his league debut for Derby, playing forty minutes in a 2-1 loss at the Toughsheet Community Stadium back in September, after Wildsmith was sent off against Bolton Wanderers. However, the punishment was subsequently revoked, and Vickers was placed back on the bench for Portsmouth’s following game.
He was granted playing time in cup competitions; the Rams advanced to the Round of 16 in the latter tournament, and he appeared in the EFL Cup and Trophy. Nevertheless, following a decline in form for their usually dependable number one, it took until January for Vickers to receive a run of league games.
The goalie, who was born in Essex, found it difficult to replicate the consistency that Wildsmith had displayed all season, giving in three goals in the opening two games of this run. Derby’s defense, which is often unwavering, appeared more vulnerable.
Even so, he put on an incredible display against his old team, Lincoln City, and three games later, against Charlton Athletic, he kept a clean sheet, which seemed to relieve some of the strain on him. But he was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a thigh injury.
In the previous season, Vickers made seven appearances in League One, posting a save percentage of 64.7% as opposed to Wildsmith’s 72.1%. In addition, he only generated 0.47 high claims per 90, compared to 0.81 for his rival, failing to meet Wildsmith’s statistics and establish himself as the go-to option going forward.
The elevation of Derby to a higher tier may make it difficult for Vickers to play more minutes, which might result in their departure.
Derby must move quickly to discover fresh talent.
Even if Vickers might not want to sit on the bench for another season, Warne still has to find suitable replacements soon, even though they have been aware of Wildsmith’s leaving for the past several months.
Viktor Johansson of Rotherham has been linked to the Rams, according to Alan Nixon’s reports. However, these rumors were immediately dashed when Stoke City signed the Swedish goalkeeper in May.
After his contract with Arsenal was not renewed, Arthur Okonkwo is now free to sign with any team. However, it appears that he will likely return to Wrexham, where he spent the previous season on loan with The Red Dragons. The player and the club are negotiating a permanent move to Wales this summer, according to co-owner Rob McElhenney, who spoke with talkSport.
Marek Rodak, who was released by Fulham, is also a free agent and was previously with Warne at Rotherham. Even though Derby hasn’t been mentioned in any rumors so far, Rodak’s signing may be a fantastic way to start the transfer window and keep Vickers out of the starting lineup once more.
The Rams have a number of young goalkeepers coming up through the ranks in the academy in addition to possible additions. Jack Thompson, 17, signed his first professional deal with the team in December of last year. He is advancing through the age groups swiftly and has the potential to join the senior squad in the future.
Warne is probably going to buy more than one goalkeeper this summer, which will put greater pressure on Vickers—who has only been in three Championship games—to perform better.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the Rams manager is successful in his summer transfer plan since he might be able to get the minutes he really wants by moving.
