"Really exciting" - Derby County midfield claim made after David Ozoh addition | OneFootball

Paul Warne has added plenty of quality into the middle of the park ahead of the Rams' return to the Championship

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County completed the loan signing of David Ozoh from Crystal Palace earlier in the week, with the young talent’s signing causing a buzz around Pride Park.

The 19-year-old has gathered quite the reputation at Home Park after appearing for the Eagles nine times in the Premier League last season, with exciting cameos against Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion to his name.

The teenager will add plenty of energy and skill into the central regions for the Rams for the season ahead, as Paul Warne continues to shake up his side ahead of their return to the Championship.

With plenty of talent through the door already this summer, we spoke to Football League World’s resident Derby County fan Shaun Woodward about how he thinks his side will be lining up once the season gets underway.

David Ozoh is the latest addition to Paul Warne’s midfield recruitment drive

The Rams had some work to do to bolster their midfield ranks this summer, with the likes of Louie Sibley, Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith all moving on after their League One promotion campaign.

And Warne has taken to the task admirably in the three months since their return to the second tier was confirmed, with plenty of exciting stars coming through the door ready to compete for a place in the middle of the park.

With Ebou Adams turning his loan deal from Cardiff City into a permanent transfer, County have a player they already know can perform well in the engine room, and will add plenty of energy alongside Ozoh in the midfield region.

Ben Osborn’s arrival from Sheffield United also adds extra cover in that department, while Kenzo Goudmijn will add that further bit of quality going forward, after the Dutchman joined from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.

With that in mind, Woodward is optimistic about the season ahead for the Rams, with Ozoh being the cherry on the cake after a successful summer of recruiting new talent.

The Rams fan said: “The boy looks like an absolute class signing, I’m really happy that we’ve got him, I’m sure there were lots of clubs that would have wanted him.

“He’s big, strong, powerful, he’s got experience in the Premier League for someone so young. He’s confident and looks like a real combative midfielder, a bit like a younger version of Ebou Adams.

“He’s going to go places, and I think we’re lucky to have him and I think he’s going to be a real fans’ favourite.

“For me, he definitely gets in our team, he might struggle with consistency given his age, but given some time to bed in and given regular game time, I think he can be a real asset to us."

How David Ozoh fits into the new-look Derby County team

With the plethora of talent at his disposal for the season ahead, Warne has plenty of depth in the midfield areas as it stands, with a range of personalities and player profiles to suit any occasion.

Whether they are looking to stay tight and compact when they come up against the league’s bigger-hitters, or offer a more expansive game plan when they push forward with numbers, the Rams’ versatile offering in the middle of the park will help them become adaptable across the Championship campaign.

Woodward believes the trio of Goudmijn, Adams [pictured] and Ozoh could become the starting triumvirate in the County midfield as the season progresses, which lends itself to an exciting season on the horizon.

He continued: “I would be playing him in a 4-3-3 or a 3-5-2, alongside Ebou Adams and maybe Kenzo Goudmijn just in front of them, or that three can maybe all move around.

“They’re all clever enough, I’m sure, to find out where they need to be, but that three look a really exciting three, home and away.

“I think they’ll all add some bite, with Kenzo adding a bit of class on the ball as well, so I think that three in midfield could become a really strong three for us. So yeah, I’m really happy.”