After finishing in second place in League One and taking a two-year break in the third division, Derby County is making a comeback to the Championship.
But, the Rams will have tough competition the next season, as Birmingham City’s 50-point relegation shows how good the Championship is becoming.
A new goalkeeper and more offensive threat appear to be Paul Warne’s and his team’s top priorities during the summer transfer window; the latter is especially important given that James Collins, Tom Barkhuizen, and Dwight Gayle’s contracts expire next month.
Furthermore, Derby County is reportedly considering a move for the soon-to-be free agency striker.
Josh Windass, a striker for Sheffield Wednesday, will have his contract expire this summer after spending four seasons with the South Yorkshire team.
In that time, he has scored 40 goals, including Sheffield Wednesday’s play-off victory last year and his team’s season-ending goal in 2023–2024.
That turned out to be a goal that kept Wednesday in the Championship, where they will play Derby County the following round.
However, Windass’s future with the team is unclear. He is in negotiations for a possible new contract, but his contract expires in the summer.
However, according to journalist Joe Crann, the 30-year-old is starting to get interest from teams like Derby County, West Brom, Hull City, and Stoke City.
Josh Windass to analysis of Derby County
Derby County needs Windass to be tried and tested in the Championship before they make their way back to the second division.
Despite Windass’s injury struggles in 2023–24, which limited him to just 25 Championship matches, he did manage to score six goals and provide two assists, including goals in the final three games of the season.
He therefore enters the summer in good shape, and the fact that teams like West Brom and Hull City are interested in hiring him speaks volumes about his skill and style of play.
Windass might also thrive for Derby in a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 configuration; on Wednesday, he can play as one of two strikers or as a loan player, and Warne might benefit much from that kind of versatility.
Windass is also a valuable asset for a championship team because he can play as a no. 10 when necessary.
With an xG of 6.56 during the season, Windass finished as Sheffield Wednesday’s third-highest rated player according to Sofascore. He also had the most shots per game—2.1—and on target—0.8—among all Sheffield Wednesday players.
In light of his recent performance and statistics, Windass appears to be playing at his best right now and poses a consistent threat to opposing defenses. Although it looks unlikely that Derby will be able to sign him to a new contract on Wednesday, it’s the kind of ambition the Rams need to demonstrate in the transfer market this summer.
Having said that, Derby County’s summer would get off to a great start if they could close a deal to acquire Windass.
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