Derby County: Paul Warne’s first 2025 summer signing may already be at Pride Park | OneFootball

The defender has made a decent impact for the Rams since joining on loan from Liverpool, and he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Eiran Cashin's hamstring injury has given Nat Phillips the opportunity to impress Paul Warne at Derby County, and it seems likely that the defender will see out 2025 alongside Curtis Nelson in the team's back four.

The 27-year-old has had to be patient since joining the Rams on loan from Liverpool in the summer, with the majority of his appearances coming when Warne opts for a five-man defence.

However, with Cashin out for the foreseeable future, Phillips will be entrusted as Curtis Nelson's centre-back partner, and he has already shown positive signs.

Despite conceding two late goals against Luton Town on Friday, the loanee played well, and this could lead to Warne making a big decision in the summer with more cover going to be needed in defensive positions at Derby.

Phillips could be Warne's first summer signing

Phillips has had a difficult few years since breaking into the first team at Liverpool following an injury crisis that Jürgen Klopp had to deal with.

He was rewarded for his performances in 2021 with a new four-year contract, but with that set to expire at the end of the campaign, the Rams may just take advantage and make his deal at Derby a permanent one.

Improving the core of the squad is vital to the development of the club in the coming years, and Phillips will be an upgrade on Sonny Bradley as the team's back-up centre-back in the next few seasons.

Nelson, who will be 32 by the time 2025/26 starts, and making sure that he has younger options is crucial for Warne, and Phillips will only improve in a settled environment.

It seems unlikely that Liverpool will offer him a new deal, and to get a player with the quality that Phillips possesses on a free will be superb business, and it will allow funds to be aimed elsewhere, as Derby will need to bring in a number of new players in the summer.

If the 27-year-old plays a large role in the second half of the season, then it would not be a surprise to see him push for a move to Pride Park once his loan concludes, and he has already learned to play in Warne's style.

Phillips can be excellent for Derby

Although he has not quite had the chances to impress fully as of now, the next month will be crucial for Phillips' future, and he could prove to be excellent for the Rams.

He has shown flickers of being on a similar level to Cashin and Nelson, and he has fit in well when played alongside the pair. The former Celtic defender's opportunities in a back four have been extremely limited, but he will play in that formation sooner rather than later.

If Phillips can show his ability in a more traditional defensive setup, then Warne's hand may be forced and the centre-back may have earned himself a move for the summer window.

Nevertheless, performances will have to remain consistent, and he may have to give up what is likely to be a high wage at Liverpool as he makes the potential full-time drop to the Championship with Derby.