Paul Warne makes Derby County transfer admission as strong verdict made on defensive signings

With a Friday night fixture just around the corner in Derby County’s first show-off in the 2024/25 Championship campaign, worries still linger on how ready Paul Warne’s squad are for the challenge.

Pre-season has been unkind for Warne’s side, with the Rams suffering defeat in all of the final three friendly bouts, conceding 12 goals in just four matches.

Signings have been made across the board, from Warne congesting the midfield with talents such as Ben Osborn, Kenzo Goudmijn, David Ozoh and the return of Ebou Adams, as well as the attacking arrivals of Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates, although the former Rotherham United boss is looking to further bolster his striker options.

Signings in defence have been limited this summer, and there are alarm bells ringing for recruits to be brought in following the worrying injury to Jake Rooney, leaving Warne to have some frank discussion on where they are with defensive arrivals.

Pre-season has shown a need for Warne to bring defenders in this season, with the back-line being a carbon copy of the one that won promotion to the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign.

When quizzed about any centre-backs coming through the doors at Pride Park, per Dominic Dietrich on X, he said: “There isn’t a player that he thinks is affordable and available that’s better than what they’ve got currently.

“I want someone to come in and smoke the three I’ve got in the nicest possible sense. Competition is what you want.”

Derby County’s current defensive ranks include Eiran Cashin, Curtis Nelson, Sonny Bradley and the injured Rooney.