Why Billy Sharp would be a massive signing for Derby County

According to the Sun (h/t The Derby Telegraph), Derby County are interested in signing Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp on loan until the end of the season.

Billy Sharp, 33, is currently with his boyhood team Sheffield United, firing the club to promotion back to the Premier League with 23 League goals last season. But he is struggling to get a game this campaign, starting just once with the rest of his 11 League outings coming off the substitute’s bench.

The striker has scored only once this season, a late equaliser late on at Bournemouth on the opening day of the season.

The 33-year-old, who has fallen down the pecking order under Chris Wilder this season, has also attracted interest from Nottingham Forest and Celtic, the report adds. (h/t The Derby Telegraph) However, Derby County must do everything possible to win Sharp’s signature.

After a fairly solid run of the Christmas period, the Rams picked up a valuable point away from home against Middlesbrough over the weekend. They need to get consistently good results on board from now on until May to have any hopes of making it to the playoffs.

Wayne Rooney has made an immediate impact at Derby, giving a much-needed lift to Phillip Cocu’s side.

The former England international has a very big role to play this season and while he has addressed the Rams’ lack of creativity in the final third, Rooney could be even more influential with a proven goalscorer ahead of him.

Billy Sharp definitely could be that player for the Pride Park outfit. Apart from helping Sheffield United win promotion, Sharp also won promotions with Scunthorpe United and Southampton earlier in his career.

The 33-year-old has massive experience in Championship football and has scored plenty of goals, most notably 23 last season to guide the Blades to the top-flight.

The experienced Yorkshireman would undoubtedly bolster Derby’s attack, whilst adding goals to Cocu’s side.

The potential understanding between Sharp and Rooney could be deadly and one that could send shivers down the Championship defenders’ spines. He is a player who can make an immediate impact at Pride Park.

Verdict

Sharp was prolific for United last season, therefore, he could offer Derby a big boost in the final third. If the Rams pull this deal off, it would represent something of a statement of intent from Cocu.