The Rams are already working on a new deal for Darren Robinson and Warne will likely have others who he’s keen to keep hold of for the 2024/25 season.
But stepping up to the Championship, Derby County will really need to add quality this summer if they want to beat the drop next time round.
Birmingham City were relegated with a staggering 50 points this season which shows the increasing level of talent in the Championship.
So to ensure he has enough quality at his disposal, Warne may need to clear some room in the wage bill, which could mean making some difficult decisions regarding certain players; perhaps none more so than Conor Hourihane.
Conor Hourihane’s future in Derby County
Hourihane, who Warne once referred to as a “leader,” is one of the 12 players without a contract this summer. During his two years with the team, he made 98 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 19 assists.
The 33-year-old Irishman has five goals and eight assists in the 2023–2024 campaign, including some crucial game-winning goals against Burton Albion and Reading.
However, Hourihane would go on to perform more as a reserve over the season’s last few weeks. Only seven times since the start of the season has he completed a full ninety minutes of play for Derby. He did not start any of the team’s final six games.
Supporters are worried about his level of fitness, particularly in front of a challenging Championship campaign, therefore Warne may want to break things off with the Rams captain.
What is Conor Hourihane’s future at Derby County?
It is unclear if Hourihane will stay or not. While there is the argument that he would be a valuable player in the future provided he can maintain match fitness, Hourihane is also the club’s highest-paid player, according to Salary Sport.
Therefore, cutting him loose would free up money in the salary budget for one or more new players, or perhaps for a big-name acquisition.
Additionally, it would free up a midfield place for a new, younger player, which is exactly what Derby needs in order to get some extra speed before they head back to the second division.
In the Championship, the midfield is frequently the difference between winning and losing games, so Warne must make sure he has a enough number of bodies, physicality, and quality there.
Even though Hourihane has excellent technical ability, there are concerns about his physicality, therefore it might be best for him to move on and accept a different challenge coming season.
He shown in 2023–2024 that he is still a talented player at the League One level, so if he moves on, he will have no trouble finding a new home.
To guarantee that his new management gets the most out of him, though, he will need to be used and managed properly.
Although his release from Pride Park appears harsh, it might be the wisest course of action for all parties.
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