As football has been brought to a halt for what seems likely to be a while; Last Word on Football has taken a look at the Derby County players who could leave on a free transfer this summer.
Four Players Derby County Could Lose as Free Transfers This Summer
Contracts Expiring
Derby County could lose four players to free transfers with the coronavirus pandemic causing immediate concern.
The Rams’ season will not continue until April 30 at the earliest but the suspension could run into the summer.
Phillip Cocu’s side already have to reschedule eight of their nine remaining league outings.
Outings against Millwall (a), Reading (h), Preston North End (a), Nottingham Forest (h), West Bromwich Albion (a), Brentford (h), Cardiff City (a) and Leeds United (h) will all have to be given new dates in the calendar.
The Rams’ next Championship outing, against Birmingham City, is currently set to be played on May 2.
While no clear plan for the remainder of the campaign has materialised, it is unknown how the FA will deal with players whose contracts expire on June 30.
Chris Martin
Martin is in his seventh season with the Rams having joined in July 2013. Since arriving from Norwich City on a loan deal, the forward has made over 200 appearances, scored 74 goals and added 38 assists.
The 31-year-old, a popular figure at Pride Park, has been an instrumental cog in Derby’s preferred 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 set-up.
His strike rate this term has been exceptional – a goal just shy of every three matches – and it is no wonder he is regarded as one of the Championship’s best.
Ikechi Anya
Anya, 32, has fallen down the pecking order at Pride Park. His chances have come far and few between, not making an appearance for almost two years.
His last outing for the Rams, the second leg of the play-off semi-final with Fulham, came in May 2018.
The left-sided midfielder has struggled to even break into County’s youth set-up. He has made only two appearances for the Under-23 side in the Premier League 2 this term.
Tom Huddlestone
Huddlestone had been slowly working towards fitness when the coronavirus pandemic caused him to take a different type of rehabilitation.
When he had been fit, he had been a regular fixture in Cocu’s side; however, the midfielder’s season has been impacted by a calf injury.
Craig Forsyth
Similarly to Huddlestone, Forsyth has consistently started in defence under Cocu. He emerged into the defensive set-up midway through the campaign after returning from a knee injury.
Having struggled to break into the matchday squad, the 31-year-old made his first appearance this season in a 1-0 win over Preston.
The left-back has made 15 appearances this term, contributing one assist, but has the option of a 12-month extension based on reaching an appearances target.
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