Five minute read

After a long, arduous transfer saga (and countless arguments between Rams and Rovers fans, Derby finally announced the signing of Lewis Travis on Wednesday 27th August. The central midfielder joins The Rams on a four-year deal for a supposed £3m fee. 

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Eustace’s captain at Blackburn, the Derby gaffer will be hoping that Travis can come straight into the starting eleven and plug any gaps left in the midfield. Similar to Max Johnston, Lewis Travis comes into the team after having a full preseason and playing Blackburn’s first game of the season and will be likely leaving Derby’s current midfielders wondering where they will fit into the starting eleven in the next league fixture against Ipswich Town.

The Lewis Travis saga

Having been linked with Lewis Travis earlier in the window, it seemed like the interest was cooling and Derby County wouldn’t be signing him – a similar story to the attempted signings of Tyrhys Dolan and Callum Brittain. Many Blackburn Rovers believed the saga to be over before it had even gotten going, thanks to reports from The Sun “journalist” Alan Nixon. Following their first Carabao Cup fixture, manager Valerien Ismael stated that Lewis Travis wanted to leave to join The Rams. This was then followed up by stripping the skipper of his captaincy. Then, just a week or two later, Travis became a Derby player. It might leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Rovers fans, especially due to the fact that the Blackburn academy graduate stated in an interview that the proudest moment of his career was signing for The Rams…

Potential outgoings

In terms of who might make their way out of the club to fit Travis into the squad, there are multiple options, and there may even be multiple outgoings as Derby look to thin out their overflowing numbers in midfield.

Judging by the opinion of most Derby fans on Twitter, including my own, it seems like the writing is on the wall for Ben Osborn. Joining for free from Sheffield United in Derby’s first transfer window upon return to the Championship, Derby fans were buzzing to finally get the signature of one of their own. Despite his allegiance to the club, Osborn never impressed in a Derby shirt and could be on the way to Plymouth Argyle on loan, if rumours are to be believed.

It may even be likely for another midfielder to leave the club, with the prime candidate being Kenzo Goudmijn. The Dutchman impressed in the first half of last season under Paul Warne, even netting himself a couple of goals. Once John Eustace was hired, the tides turned for Kenzo. He played a bit-part in the squad following the manager’s arrival, not even managing to come off the bench in the final three games of the season. While he featured heavily in preseason, the return of David Ozoh has pushed him out of the starting eleven.

The least likely to leave is Liam Thompson, having recently signed a new contract. This leaves Ebou Adams, the shining, smiling light of Derby County’s previous two seasons. There was rumoured interest from a number of Championship clubs, including Ipswich Town, earlier in the transfer window. With Travis coming in, and the imminent returns of Rhian Brewster and Bobby Clark, it’s likely that the attacking midfield role that Adams currently fills will be taken by either of them. While Derby fans would be understandably heartbroken to see Ebou depart, it is not completely out of the question.

Playing style

According to the Rovers fans, Travis is a proper shithouse and loves to wind up opposition players, a trait Derby fans will certainly enjoy. While his defensive stats aren’t quite at Ebou Adams levels, in over 38 league appearances last season he won 63 and 195 tackles and duels. It’s fair to say that the 27-year-old would increase the experience and leadership level amongst the young midfield, as well as making it more solid.