Derby County transfers, new kits and what might be best for Krystian Bielik this summer

Derby County are already beginning their preparations for the new season as the Rams look to push for promotion from League One this season.

The club announced its first pre-season friendly yesterday while season tickets also went on sale during the week.

There has been much to talk about, especially with the transfer window on the horizon and Rams writer Leigh Curtis held his latest Q&A with the fans yesterday.

Here’s a full recap of yesterday’s episode.

READ MORE: The four free transfers Derby County should consider in exciting summer plan

READ MORE: Derby confirm season-ticket details as Rams gear up for promotion push

Matt Haywood: Hi Leigh, was a bit late to the party with this one last week, but do you know if we’re due another set of new kits this year and if so, what is the strategy around a shirt sponsor? I loved what we did with NSPCC last year, but maybe chance to get some more revenue in now with the right sponsor?

LC: The new kit designs were signed off months ago so there will be a new shirt this season. Have to say I loved the maroon kit so if they can conjure up something similar that would be grand! In respect of shirt sponsors, the club has been in extensive talks with companies about this and I am expecting there to be an announcement in the next couple of weeks. Derby did gift it to the NSPCC last season which was a really nice touch.

Couch79: Is Warne making much progress in terms of signings? He’s been at a few games recently, do you think we’ll be in for anyone from Sheff Weds or Notts County?

LC: I’ve reported previously that discussions with the head of recruitment Mark Thomas have been ongoing for some time now. I know there will be a clamour for signings and towards the end of the season I know some agents were invited to the training ground. But what you will tend to find in my experience is that nothing really gets moving until June. Players go away on holiday and they also like to keep their options open for the time being. As for Wednesday and Notts County, I’d be interested to see the retained list of the former. I know Iorfa the centre-back is out of contract this summer. Notts released their retained list today and they have offered Ruben Rodrigues a new contract. But I am sure he will have a lot of offers this summer given his record at Meadow Lane in the last couple of years. I know he was watched by Rotherham when Warne was manager as I remember seeing their head of recruitment Rob Scott attending several games. His numbers are pretty astonishing (54 goals in 129 games). He’s one I would certainly consider.

Markjo: Do we have an update on McGoldrick?

LC: No news as yet. I hope he stays but, as I have said before, he may have other ideas about where he wants his career to finish. If he does decide to leave then it will certainly not be about money and he should be afforded the respect he deserves for such a brilliant season. I’ve got nothing but admiration for the way he played and conducted himself. He was on a different level from everybody else. What I would say to him is that he is loved here and you don’t always get that same level of affection elsewhere.

MKRam: What date can signings start to be announced? I imagine some are probably close to completion already. Am I right in thinking that the summer window officially opens on June 10th?

LC: Derby could make a signing now if they wanted to although it would not officially kick in or registered until the window opens which should be the same time as PL. No date has been set yet as far as I am aware but last season was June 10 so I would expect it to be a similar date. The first 20 days are domestic signings only then it opens up to international transfers from start of July. Not that I am expecting Derby to make any international transfers given the rulings and difficulties in signing them after Brexit.

Teledav2: Regarding Bielik, do you know if Derby have a one-year contract extension option and do you know what if any is owing to Arsenal or was this taken care of in the change of ownership/administration exit agreement? It looks like this will be a large financial loss on this player if transferred?

LC: I would have to double-check about the year option, but Derby do still owe Arsenal as part of the original payment plan, which the club confirmed back in January, and nothing has changed there. Frustratingly, Bielik’s career just hasn’t taken off at Derby not helped by the injuries he sustained. I would be shocked if he is still here come the start of the season. I know Birmingham want him and they are reportedly in the process of selling Jobe Bellingham to Sunderland and they could also rake in a fair bit of cash if Jude goes to Real Madrid. Also, Bielik – who is the club’s top earner – has an international tournament on the horizon and Poland told him he needed to be playing at a higher level if he wanted to make World Cup squad. Derby agreed to send him out on loan to Birmingham in order to fulfill that dream. I can’t see Poland’s stance changing either in respect of the level he needs to be playing at. This is just my opinion, but an amicable parting of ways, would be best for all parties.

Nuttty: Is it reasonable to resist a season ticket, before we know, the new players, etc, friendlies? Or the future squad!!

LC: it’s down to individual choice but if it was me, I would be signing up for a season-ticket. You’ve still got the core of a good group of players there such as Wildsmith, Hourihane, Knight, Mendez-Laing, Cashin etc and a manager who is well-versed to getting out of the league. Personally, I am excited by what Derby can do this summer now they are free to spend a moderate amount on transfer fees. Besides, what else are you going to do on a Saturday afternoon?!

Grabbags: Do you think any of the Derby squad will be made available for transfer, to boost the kitty and may not be part of the plans for next season? By that I mean Sibley, Thompson, Bird, Knight and Cashin? Maybe Collins, Mendez-Laing and Hourihane as well?

LC: I don’t see that happening unless the players themselves want to go. For NML and Hourihane in particular, Derby is a good fit because of their location. I think with a full pre-season behind them, they are all going to be integral to next season’s promotion push. That said I wouldn’t be surprised if Hull chanced their arm for a couple. Thompson is an interesting one because he does need to play and I can’t see him getting into the team ahead of the midfielders that are already there. With the squad due to be strengthened as well, I feel his chances may be even more limited.

Rambob: I have to say, I was really disappointed that we didn’t strengthen with strikers in the January window. That for me was the biggest mistake of the season. Didzy did a brilliant job, but he needs help at times?

LC: The situation with the strikers was incredibly difficult for a number of reasons. A) the restrictions meant a lot of players were non-starters and b) Sheffield United being hit with a transfer embargo meant they recalled Will Osula. Derby wanted to keep him. They did speak to a Championship striker but he was subsequently offered a deal elsewhere that went above the wage cap. It wasn’t for the want of trying but a lot of players weren’t good enough or commanded fees. The list of free agents at the time was hardly sparkling. But you are right, I did feel there was an overreliance on Didzy towards the end of the season, but in fairness, he carried that burden magnificently. I would like to see four strikers on the books next season purely because it will just give Warne greater flexibility. The fact Derby will have greater freedom in the market this summer will help immeasurably

David Taylor: Hi Leigh I asked this earlier in the week but Didn’t get a reply from anyone as asked a few but do we know if we’ve got more of a say in the kit for this coming season?! Plus do we know if Warne is looking abroad for signings as well as domestically?!

LC: I’ve answered a question on the kits but in short, designs were done months ago and signed off. And talks have been ongoing with a number of companies regarding sponsorship. I am expecting an announcement in the next couple of weeks. In respect of looking at players from abroad, I would say it is very doubtful. The rules post-Brexit for L1 and L2 clubs in particular make it very difficult. There is a number of criteria that has to be met in a points system which range from the quality of the selling club, their league position, international caps and the amount of games said player has played. At Notts County they had to significantly change their strategy. They looked at the European market to sign players like Rodrigues from Den Bosch but when Brexit rules came into force, it became clear that players would struggle to get the points needed to get a permit. They then had to focus on domestic transfers. It would be easier if Derby were in the PL, but apparently, there are rules that have now been proposed that would allow clubs to sign up to two overseas players without the need for the points system as long as 35 percent of English talent is given playing time. But that proposal would need to be signed off by the Home Office.

What do Derby need in the transfer market this summer? Have your say in the comments section.

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