Two Players Who Could Follow Curtis Davies To Derby County
Derby County this week completed a deal for experienced Premier League centre-back Curtis Davies. However, their transfer activity may not stop there.
The Rams’ interest in Newcastle United defender GRANT HANLEY is well known and their transfer activity is sure to pick up pace over the coming weeks. Manager Gary Rowett has been given the autonomy shape his own squad this summer and as a former centre-back himself he’d know exactly what to extract from his defence.
Davies is a great signing, and in the case of Hanley, Rowett knows that his record in the Championship is excellent. The Scot was only offered sporadic starts in the league by Rafael Benitez following his move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle, but the 25-year-old has plenty to offer at this level and is fully experienced, making 161 appearances in the Championship so far.
Hanley looks as though he is the longer-term replacement for Richard Keogh, so he may be pursued despite the arrival of Curtis Davies.
When it comes to the attacking half, an overreliance on Tom Ince for goals from out wide was a major let down last season. Matej Vydra and Ikechi Anya did not produce the goods and in terms of a proper central striker, Darren Bent’s 10 goals and David Nugent’s 6 simply won’t do.
There has been a talk of Derby County adding GEORGE BOYD to their ranks and this may be a very good idea. The left-footed Scottish winger is comfortable on the right-hand side of the attack and in this sense, he would be a like-to-like replacement for Tom Ince if he leaves the club in the summer.
Boyd managed 2 goals and an assist at Burnley last term but in the Championship his output would be much higher; double-figures being something the fans can expect. If he can do this, he would fill the void left by Ince quite nicely, while also not being responsible for the reinvestment of all of the cash, which could go on other signings.
Boyd has a very good Championship and Premier League pedigree and, certainly is an underestimated and undervalued player. While arguably not being a ‘marquee signing’, he would give Derby the sort of impetus they need while attempting for an automatic promotion.
Boyd would be a shrewd addition to Derby County and they shouldn’t think twice before bringing the Burnley man to the club.