While the contracts of twelve players at Pride Park expire, Derby is preparing for a busy summer as Paul Warne must make many additions to his team in order to prepare for the Championship.
Warne attempted to strengthen his team by permanently signing Cardiff City loan star Ebou Adams, but the Rams’ £250,000 offer was turned down by the Bluebirds.
With the joint fewest goals scored (78) among the top six scorers in the league and the fewest goals allowed (37), it would seem that Derby’s key priorities are to strengthen their midfield and attack.
Thus, people were taken aback when information about them entering the contest to sign Viktor Johansson surfaced.
Despite being without a contract in the summer, current top player Joe Wildsmith earned the League One Golden Glove and kept an amazing 20 clean sheets.
Towards the close of the season, the 28-year-old really started to shine, making clutch saves in both the 1-0 triumph against Bolton Wanderers and the 0-0 draw against Wycombe.
Carlton Palmer, a former Sheffield Wednesday player, offered his opinion on the issue that is developing in Derbyshire.
Carlton Palmer considers Viktor Johansson’s signing to be a “huge problem.”
Palmer stated, “This is a difficult one, this one. I can understand that Paul Warne would be in pole position to sign Viktor, having managed the player before,” in an interview with Football League World.
But I believe he will face a significant obstacle because Joe Wildsmith, who has been playing extremely well for Derby County this season, will undoubtedly be the starting goalie if Viktor is signed, even if Wildsmith has won every award.
“He has been absolutely outstanding for Paul Warne this season; he has won the Golden Glove.” Twenty clean sheets, therefore I believe Paul Warne’s issue—which is likely the reason Johannson is being linked to him—is that Wildsmith’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Joe Wildsmith earns a contract extension with Derby County.
Warne finds himself in a challenging circumstance. It’s obvious that he would adore getting back in touch with Johansson, his former teammate, but doing so might mean losing Wildsmith.
Palmer is correct when he says that after dominating for Rotherham in the Championship, the Swedish behemoth won’t visit Derby as a backup.
On the other hand, it seems foolish for the Rams to invest £900,000 on a goalie when Wildsmith is more than capable of handling more pressing matters.
Giving the former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper a new contract should be Derby’s main priority rather than investing on Johansson when other areas of the team require reinforcement.
Although Millers manager Steve Evans recognized that the 25-year-old is a “top class” keeper, it would only make sense to sign him if they released Wildsmith.
That would be a strange choice, too, having watched him maintain 20 clean sheets in League One.
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