Derby County opinion: Should Derby sign Matthew Pennington in the summer?

According to a report from East Anglian Daily Times, Derby County are set to reignite their interest in Everton’s Matthew Pennington. The Rams were linked with a move for the highly-rated youngster in January but missed out.

Pennington has been on loan in the Championship with Ipswich Town and has been hugely impressive so far this season. The 24-year has been a regular for The Tractor Boys and has been the shining light in an otherwise horrific campaign.

Ipswich’s fate in the Championship is sealed and Pennington is set to return to the Toffees at the end of his loan spell in the summer. Derby should make a move for the 24-year-old in the summer if Everton are willing to release him and he would be an incredible addition to their squad next season.

Frank Lampard’s side could well join Everton in the Premier League next season if everything goes their way. The Rams are just 2 points off of 5^th place with a game in hand and with 8 games left to play, they have a huge chance of making it to the playoffs and potentially into the Premier League next season.

Derby will lose Fikayo Tomori once his loan spell concludes at the end of the season. The Rams will be left with Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies and Efe Ambrose who are all into their thirties and their efficiency will go down next term. Frank Lampard will need to bring in somebody young who can fill in for Tomori next season and Matthew Pennington would be a good addition.

Not much was expected of off Pennington’s arrival at Portman Road but the defender could well leave the club with the player of the year award. The Everton man has missed just 4 games all season and has been an impressive figure at the back.

Pennington, in his 30 appearances for the club, has averaged 1.7 tackles, 2.7 interceptions, 5.8 clearances and a phenomenal 4.8 aerial duels per game so far. The youngster now deserves a chance at a bigger club and Derby is a perfect destination for him to develop his game to the next level. (WhoScored)

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Conclusion

Ipswich’s woeful season has overshadowed Pennington’s performances but the 24-year-old has gained valuable experience at the club and he will only push on from there. Pennington’s contract with Everton runs out this summer and Derby should get in touch with the youngster before Marco Silva decides to offer him a new deal.