{"id":549120,"date":"2020-04-10T16:04:29","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T20:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=549120"},"modified":"2020-04-10T16:05:10","modified_gmt":"2020-04-10T20:05:10","slug":"chelseas-interest-in-max-bird-could-interrupt-derby-countys-youth-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/04\/10\/chelseas-interest-in-max-bird-could-interrupt-derby-countys-youth-revival\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Chelsea’s Interest in Max Bird Could Interrupt Derby County’s Youth Revival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Max Bird is being monitored by Chelsea, according to Football Insider;<\/a> the hard-working youngster has put in some impressive performances this season.<\/p>\n

Derby County have undergone a renaissance under manager Phillip Cocu<\/a> this season.<\/p>\n

Despite not hitting the heady heights of last season’s play-off final run, the Rams have optimism of a different kind. This is largely due to young players like Max Bird being involved in the first team.<\/p>\n

Chelsea’s Interest in Max Bird Could Interrupt Derby County’s Youth Revival<\/h2>\n

Home-Grown Talent<\/h3>\n

Young talent emerging straight from Moor Farm has bred new life into a side that heavily relied on Lampard’s loanees last season.<\/p>\n

In January, owner Mel Morris told DerbyshireLive<\/a>: “50% of our starting 11 should be academy players for next season.<\/p>\n

“That was our target, and I think there is a possibility we could get there.”<\/p>\n

Morris’ doesn’t sound silly either given the opportunities Cocu has offered youngsters this campaign.<\/p>\n

Jason Knight<\/a>, Louie Sibley<\/a>, Max Bird<\/a> and Morgan Whittaker<\/a> have all had a run in the side this year.<\/p>\n

They join the likes of Jayden Bogle<\/a> and Max Lowe<\/a> as academy graduates quickly becoming household names around Pride Park.<\/p>\n

Midfield Trio Shining<\/h3>\n

Knight has been involved all season, making 26 appearances and providing four goals from in midfield or out wide.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Louie Sibley has only recently arrived on the scene, playing for Derby’s under-23s until recently.<\/p>\n

A battling performance in Derby’s televised 3-1 loss to Man United<\/a> in the FA Cup and a left-footed strike from 25 yards against Blackburn on his full debut brought him into the spotlight too.<\/p>\n

However, since boxing day, Max Bird has only missed two matches for the Rams, effortlessly slotting into midfield alongside none other than Wayne Rooney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He has been a consistent performer, quietly going about his business, often doing the dirty work to win the ball back from the opposition.<\/p>\n

Big Clubs Keeping a Close Eye<\/h3>\n

However, despite Bird’s unsung performances, many clubs have been alerted to his talent.<\/p>\n

According to Football Insider<\/a>, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard<\/a> and assistant Jody Morris<\/a> were big fans of what they saw from him last year.<\/p>\n

The Blues look set to make a summer swoop for the 19-year-old.<\/p>\n

This interest only highlights the great work done by Derby’s academy to develop such a group of promising youngsters.<\/p>\n

However, Derby will need to decide soon whether they wish to hold on to some of their hot prospects.<\/p>\n

Bird’s contract ends in 2022, with Knight and Whittaker recently signing terms to keep them at Pride Park until 2023.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>