Player’s resurgence could bring an end to 28-year-old’s Derby County career in January: Opinion
Derby County are in a position to kick on over the second half of the season, making the January transfer window a period of huge opportunity.
Derby County sit 11th in a tightly-packed Championship table at the halfway point of the season. DCFC are four points off the top six with three draws and a win in their last four games.
It has been a solid campaign for the Rams, but as there is with many clubs, there is a feeling that the second half of the season could be an exciting one with some smart January transfer window business.
Image courtesy of: EED SYKES/REUTERS.
New signings will be targeted, but there are departures expected too. Some players have struggled for minutes and will hope for January moves to go and find more action elsewhere.
Among them is Ryan Nyambe, who has been reduced to a fringe role at Derby County.
Ryan Nyambe falls down the Derby County pecking order
Nyambe joined Derby County in the summer of 2023. He had been out of the game for over a year after a season-long stay at Wigan Athletic.
The right-back was a regular starter when fit in their League One promotion-winning campaign, and 14 of his 17 Championship appearances last season were starts too. However, injuries to his hamstring and knee limited his game time, and he has been pushed down the pecking order this year.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
Max Johnston arrived as the new long-term option on the DCFC right. Nyambe appeared to be his understudy, but when the Scot picked up an injury, it was Joe Ward who John Eustace turned to.
The 30-year-old has revived his Rams career with some fantastic performances since. Ward’s crossing threat has made him the clear option there in Johnston’s absence, limiting Nyambe to just 23 minutes of Championship football since starting the first three games of the season.
Nyambe has not been involved in three of the last five matchday squads too. As Johnston nears his return and with Ward the preferred deputy, it seems a change of scenery is inevitable.
A January exit suits Nyambe and Derby County
Nyambe, 28, is under contract until 2027. It means he would bring a fee the way of Derby County with a January sale.
Ryan Nyambe’s Derby County stats
Johnston offers the athletic, up-and-down option on the right, while Ward brings the crossing threat. Between the two, Eustace has two solid yet differing options on the right. Johnston’s ability to play as a full-back as well means Nyambe’s more defensive-focused side of the game is not needed as much as it has been before.
Nyambe can go and play regularly for a side lower down the Championship or a top League One side. He has good years ahead of him and 209 appearances of second tier to his name, offering fine experience.
He won’t be a break-the-bank signing, but with DCFC sure to be active, Nyambe can free up funds and get back to playing regularly with a January exit.
