Derby are within touching distance of reaching the Championship. Just a draw against Carlisle United on Saturday will see them clinch promotion.
However, as Paul Warne anticipates seeing numerous players leave at the conclusion of their contracts, transfer arrangements will be made behind the scenes in preparation for the window to reopen.
Derby has the oldest team in League One, but if Dwight Gayle (34), Scott Loach (35) and Craig Forsyth (35) go on, the average age of their team will drop significantly.
Of the twelve players on the verge of leaving the club, three are Gayle, Loach, and Forsyth. This number rises if Warne’s team plays in the second division the following year.
A few players, including academy graduate Louie Sibley, leading scorer James Collins, and goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, are players the Derby manager may decide to hold onto.
Derby County should keep Joe Wildsmith
Wildsmith became the second signing of the David Clowes era, joining on a two-year contract from Sheffield Wednesday in July 2022.
The 28-year-old, who started every one of their 46 league games the previous season, is still their top player this year. Due to Josh Vickers’ injury, Warne’s backup goalie, he has only missed six games.
The £5.1k-a-week star is a fantastic shot-blocker, despite his questionable play when the ball is in his hands. His outstanding save in the goalless draw against Wycombe Wanderers gave The Rams a point.
The Derby number one has shown heroics this season, amassing an astounding 19 clean sheets in 39 games. Warne called his superb saves in the 1-0 victory over Bolton “unbelievable.”
At Sheffield Wednesday, Wildsmith was a backup custodian. At Pride Park, he developed a close relationship with Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin, two centre defenders.
