Derby County are expected to make some minor changes to their squad in the January transfer window, but not bring in any high-profile recruits for large prices.
The Rams have made a good start to the new season, with Paul Warne leading them to mid-table in the Championship at the start of November, despite being widely predicted to struggle near the bottom before the season began.
Derby have never been the biggest spenders in the second division, but they did make significant investments in the summer ahead of their Championship return, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Kenzo Goudmijn, and Ebou Adams all signing permanent terms at Pride Park for various prices.
As a result, it appears unlikely that owner David Clowes will give manager Warne too much transfer money to play with in the new year, but some will undoubtedly have to be spent on new signings as they attempt to avoid danger for the rest of the season.
Derby fan pundit predicts little investment in the January window
David Clowes has been praised as the man who saved Derby when he took over from Mel Morris last year, and he has endeared himself even more to fans by making important decisions that gave them a strong chance of promotion last season, such as appointing Paul Warne.
Clowes has yet to spend particularly frivolously in the transfer market as owner, however, and FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward believes that he will continue to make a modest purse available to Paul Warne in the new year after being asked if he expects him to back the club in the January transfer window financially.
“David Clowes will, I’m sure, make some funds available for Paul Warne, but I don’t think it’s going to be mega money,” Shaun told the news outlet FLW.
“I think we’ll consider signing one or two players, depending on injuries.
“I don’t think we’ll spend £4 million or £5 million on a player.
“I believe it will cost £500,000 or £1 million if Paul Warne wants someone that no one else will come in for.
“The problem is that we cannot outbid teams. Warne will have to be extremely cagey and discreet about who he wants because if someone else comes in, they will most likely outbid us.
“I don’t see Clowes spending the cash, but I believe he will make some finances accessible. It will just be a small amount.
“It also depends on our position in the table. If we are still mid-table and pretty safe, there is no reason to worry and make foolish purchases.
“Even if we are just above the drop zone, then you have still got to be sensible, trust the players we’ve got, and just add one or two for a bit of quality.”
Derby fans will want to see some money spent in the January window
It goes without saying that Derby fans would expect their owner to spend money after the new year, but how much he is ready to put into Warne’s transfer budget remains to be seen.
Clowes oversaw the club’s last January window, and despite being firmly in the promotion hunt, they only spent £350,000 on a loan fee for Corey Blackett-Taylor from Charlton Athletic, leaving Warne to pursue other loan deals for Ebou Adams and Max Bird, as well as the free agent market to bring in Dwight Gayle.
Something similar cannot happen this time around, as Warne’s roster has been pushed thin in the first few months of the season due to injuries to some of his key players, necessitating additions in the new year.
David Ozoh, Ryan Nyambe, Jake Rooney, Tawanda Chirewa, and Dajaune Brown have all had recent injuries, and cover must be secured as soon as possible to ensure Warne has the best chance of leading his side to safety next May.
There is also the possibility of converting striker Jerry Yates’ loan spell from Swansea City into a permanent contract, following his excellent start at Pride Park, which has seen him become one of the Rams’ most important players despite not being the most clinical in front of goal.
That would undoubtedly cost money, given that Yates cost the Swans £2.5 million last summer, but if it ultimately comes down to the difference between survival and relegation, the prospective figure would mean very little to everyone involved.
